The civil society organisations and women advocacy groups of Northeast India have strongly condemned the rape of two indigenous women in middle Assam, where violence broke out during the first week of October. The media reports reveal that two jawans of CRPF personnel were involved with the misdeed that took place in the riot-hit Udalguri district of BTADC of Assam. The protesting bodies demand prompt and strict action against the guilty CRPF jawans.
The group clashes that broke out in Udalguri and Darrang districts left more than 50 people died and rendered 150000 homeless. The hostility between the indigenous Bodo tribal group and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in these two districts also resulted in torching more than 500 houses belonged to both the communities. The incidence of violence worried New Delhi, which asked the State government to take all possible means immediately to restore normalcy in the violence hit localities and rehabilitate the victims.
The incident of rape took place on October 19 at Bhalukmari village and surprisingly the jawans even threatened to kill their husbands. Assuming the incident of grave concern, a delegation of 18 activists from North East Network, the ANT, Chirang (BTAD), Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti, Action Aid, Assam Mahila Samata Society met the Governor of Assam, SC Mathur on October 23.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor in Rajbhawan, Guwahati the delegation demanded to 'institute an independent and high level judicial enquiry into the incident and make the report public within one month'.
'Enraged at the impunity with which security forces have been violating the physical integrity and dignity of women', the memorandum said, 'we request you as the highest constitutional authority in Assam to 'ensure that an impartial and fair investigation is conducted on the basis of the First Information Reports (FIR)s lodged at the Udalguri Police Station and both the CRPF personnel be prosecuted for rape and other crimes'.
They also demanded to direct the State to provide at its expense quality medical aid to the two victims'. "The State to ensure the safety and security of the two women and their families against harassment and intimidation," the memorandum added.
"According to Section 375 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) just penetration is sufficient to constitute the sexual intercourse necessary to the offence of rape. Section 376 also lays down punishments of police officers and public servants who commit rape using their position of authority or control over the person raped and provide for punishment for the same. It must be reiterated that CRPF personnel do fall within the category of a police officer or a public servant within the ambit of Section 376 of the I.P.C.," stated in a press statement issued by the NEN.
The impact of militarised action on women is not unfamiliar to the Northeast. The rape, sexual exploitation and torture have been used as a weapon by the armed forces in the time of conflicts. No immunity can be given to the accused CRPF personnel as the act committed by the said personnel was not an act done in the course of duty, it added.
The Governor, after paying a patient hearing, had agreed to take immediate action on all the points mentioned in the Memorandum. He gave directives to the State Chief Secretary and district authorities to take necessary actions. He also commented that the statement of the women was enough evidence to make arrests of the accused personnel.
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