Digboi: The All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU), Tinsukia district committee, has stepped up pressure on the administration over the alleged rape and assault of a 22-year-old woman at Khobong Tea Estate in Talap on Friday.
AAGSU had given the administration a 24-hour ultimatum to take stringent action. The organisation said no satisfactory response was received within the given time.
The development has raised the possibility of further protests in Talap on Monday evening. AAGSU said it may launch another agitation if its meeting with the district administration does not produce a satisfactory outcome.
On Saturday, several organisations and student bodies blocked the highway at Talap, demanding justice for the alleged survivor and action against the accused.
Following the blockade, AAGSU submitted a memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister seeking immediate intervention and legal action. The organisation also gave the administration 24 hours to respond.
AAGSU said the deadline passed without a satisfactory response from the district administration. On Monday afternoon, a delegation of the organisation was meeting the Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner to seek a resolution to the issue.
According to AAGSU, the woman was allegedly raped and assaulted in the Khobong Tea Estate area on Friday and was later found without clothes. The organisation identified the accused as Papu Ahmed, aged above 55, and said police had arrested him in connection with the case.
An AAGSU delegation also visited Talap Police Outpost on Sunday night and sought immediate action from the police.
In its memorandum to the Chief Minister, AAGSU also sought stronger security measures for women in vulnerable areas of Tinsukia district. Copies of the memorandum were sent to the Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.
AAGSU has demanded an encounter against the accused. It has also sought administrative action regarding the accused’s residence at Talap, including sealing or eviction.
The organisation has further demanded increased police patrolling, stronger surveillance, faster emergency response and greater security in crime-prone and isolated areas.
AAGSU said it had previously approached the district administration through memoranda and verbal representations seeking stronger public safety measures.
The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial process. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
The identity of the alleged survivor has been withheld to protect her privacy.