Digboi: Police have apprehended three suspects in connection with a gang assault on a female worker near the main entrance of the Digboi Refinery in Assam’s Tinsukia district, while the alleged mastermind, Ganapati Mahato, remains absconding.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Bijoy Das, Pankaj Bharti and Sanjib Mohon.
A case has been registered at Digboi Police Station as Case No. 17/26 under Sections 117(2), 126(2), 127(2), 189(2), 351(2), 74, 75 and 76 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The incident occurred late Friday night, February 27, when Moni Das, an Emergency Medical Technician at Digboi Refinery Hospital, was allegedly attacked while escorting her husband, a contractual refinery worker, to their quarters.
According to the FIR lodged by her, the attackers — reportedly members of a contractual workers’ union — restrained the couple, physically assaulted them, damaged her mobile phone and scooty, and allegedly attempted to molest her.
In her complaint, Das alleged that Ganapati Mahato and his associates had been repeatedly threatening her to pressure her husband into resigning from his temporary job. She claimed the assault was premeditated and directly linked to these earlier threats.
A stff from Bhohjora Enterprises, the firm providing ambulance services at Digboi Refinery and which employs Das, stated that around 14 persons were suspected to be involved, indicating that the attack was organised and coordinated.
Security sources said CCTV footage from the AOD premises, which police are yet to officially seize, clearly captures the assault. Authorities confirmed that the footage would be crucial in identifying all those involved and corroborating the victim’s account.
Notably, the alleged mastermind, Ganapati Mahato, is a driver attached to the CISF at Digboi Refinery. The assault reportedly took place in the presence of two on-duty security personnel — one CISF personnel and a Home Guard — who allegedly failed to intervene or protect the victim.
The incident has triggered public outrage, with residents demanding immediate suspension of the security personnel responsible for overseeing the area and questioning how such an attack could occur within a high-security industrial zone.
Digboi Police have assured that a thorough investigation is underway. Measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the victim and her family, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining accused, including Mahato.
The development comes a day after Moni Das lodged a detailed FIR against Ganapati Mahato, Biswajyoti Bania and other associates, urging swift police action and immediate seizure of CCTV footage to preserve crucial evidence.