A massive protest rally for women safety was organized by civil society groups in Assam’s Kokrajhar on Sunday.
The protest was against various forms of violence against women in Kokrajhar like sexual harassment, eve teasing, molestation, cyber bullying, slut slamming and others.
Organized by concerned women and citizens of Kokrajhar, the rally started from Kokrajhar Government College and marched towards Baganshali-Tengapara-Jwhwlao Dwimalu Road-Santinagar via deputy commissioner’s office-civil line and ended at Pragati Bhavan.
Students from different educational institutions, conscious citizens, members from various NGOs, participated in the march.
Eminent women leaders including columnist and vice chairman of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) Pratibha Brahma, Sahitya Academy awardee and proffesor of Kokrajhar government college Anjali Basumatary, well-known writer Rani Helen Wary, ABSU secretary Rangina Borgoyary were among those who participated in the rally.
The conscious citizens have expressed serious concern over the unabated and rampant crimes against women.
For the past few days an organized group of criminals has been creating terror in the mind of women and girls.
“The criminals forcefully enter the living space and using sprays makes the victim unconsciousness, outrage the modesty of women including rape and molestation and in some instances even films the act of sexual violence and release it in social media. The residents, especially women and girls are having sleepless night,” Pratibha Brahma said.
“The concerned residents of Kokrajhar have made repeated appeals to civil and police administration, however, the incidents of entering forcefully into the houses and rooms occupied by women and girls have not stopped. We appeal to ensure full proof security and safety of women and girls in Kokrajhar,” said Rangina Borgoyary.
They demanded the administration to provide adequate women police battalion thereby ensuring night patrolling by women police, installation of CCTV cameras in major areas, to form task force comprising eminent women leaders to ensure into unabated mass violation of women’s rights.
Meanwhile, Bodoland Students Union (BSU), Kokrajhar district committee also carried out rally against anti-social elements which was occurring in Kokrajhar town and demanded the arrest of culprits.