Kokrajhar gang rapes: ASCPCR calls for stringent actions

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) has taken a serious note on repeated incidents of rape on minor girls and asked the Kokrajhar Police to arrest and take necessary action against the accused involved in the crimes.

In a communiqué, Dr Sunita Changkakati, chairperson Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has written to the Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police to take necessary action to arrest the accused, Amir Hamja (24), son of Solimuddin Ali of Salakati Bazar Majidpara, under Salakati Police post in Kokrajhar, allegedly involved in the rape and making objectionable photographs of the victim which went viral on May 8.

The letter asked the SP to take necessary action to arrest the accused immediately and charge him with relevant sections of the POCSO Act 2012 along with IPC so that he gets stringent punishment as per provisions of the law.

Meanwhile, a team from Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Thursday visited Kokrajhar and took stock of the situation following a series of rape cases of minors girls in Kokrajhar.

The team was headed by Ajay Kumar Dutta, ASCPCR member, Technical Consultant Mridushmita Dutta and Legal Consultant Divyajyoti Sharma and accompanied by chairperson Malati Narzary, Salakati MCLA Darhasat Basumatary former member of Assam State Women Commission Kabita Basumatary and DCPU. The team visited the residence of the victim children of the cyber crime and gang rape that took place on May 8 and May 23 respectively in Salakati area.

The Commission team also visited the police officer concerned in Salakati Outpost and inquired into the cases and directed the investigating officer to expedite the investigation process and to ensure that the accused cannot escape and get stringent punishment. The Commission visited Dholmara High School and Salakati High Schools and instructed the respective head masters to expedite home visits for the students who remain absent for more than 30days. The member of the Commission also recommended organizing awareness meetings as soon as possible on Child Rights issues at the high-school level.

The member of the Commission also met with the district administration and stakeholders from Labour, Education, Food and Civil supply, Social Welfare departments, DCPU at the DC office Conference Hall, Kokrajhar district. He instructed the Food and Civil Supply Department to issue ration cards to the families of the victim children. District Legal Services Authority was instructed to take necessary steps for the release of victim compensation. He also instructed the Labour department to hold District-level task force meetings at the earliest and to share the minute of the meeting with the Commission within the month of May 2022. The member of the Commission urged the departmental officials to work together in the fight to protect the children from any vulnerability in the district.

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