A policeman was taken into police custody here on Saturday for allegedly molesting and threatening a 29-year-old widow. A case has been registered against him under various sections of the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
“The victim, who is a widow, was accosted by Bimal Nath, who identified himself as a policeman at a hotel a week ago in Police Reserve area in presence of her daughter and asked for her mobile phone number. When she refused the policeman Nath snatch her mobile phone handset and inserted his number in the contact list. He instructed her to call him and asked her to come to his place while saying that that he can do anything to her since he is a policeman,” said sources.
Sources added, “After that Nath repeatedly called the woman and on Sunday, September 2, at Lorulangso Sunday Market, he suddenly grabbed her from behind in full public view.”
However, Nath, when asked by media persons at Diphu Police Station, claimed that he did not know the woman.
He said, “I do not know her. I gave my mobile number when she asked for it at a hotel. She talked to me saying that one of her relatives is also a policeman.”
Women organizations Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) led by Meerina Beypi and Karbi Anglong Women Justice Forum (KAWJF), Karbi Students’ Union, Karbi Farmers Committee and Karbi Human Rights Watch have demanded stringent punishment to Nath.
Based on the FIR, lodged by the victim, the policeman was brought to Diphu Police Station for interrogation. A case (No.188/2018 U/S 294/354A/354 D) has been registered under the IPC and under Section 3 (r) (w) (i) (ii) of SC/ST Atrocities Act against Bimal Nath, son of Barindra Nath, near public bus stand of Diphu town.
Nath worked in the armoury in Police Reserve, Diphu.
Later in a press conference at Diphu, KNCA and KAWJF leaders said, “It is a case of molestation, attempt to rape and threatening a woman.” The organisations demanded that the accused policeman be arrested and his service be terminated within 24 hours, failing which they threatened to launch a strong agitation.
KNCA president Meerina Beypi said, “The accused, Bimal Nath has molested the victim. He has attempted to rape her by threatening her over the phone. He is now under police custody, but we want a proper punishment of the accused and his service be terminated within 24 hours.”