A massive protest rally was taken out by various organizations and students’ bodies of Dima Hasao district of Assam in Haflong on Saturday expressing serious concern over increasing cases of rape not only in the State, but across the entire country.
The rally joined by thousands shouted slogans and carried placards demanding stringent punishment to those guilty in such heinous crimes.
The protest rally consisting of hundreds of school students and women representatives of various political parties traversed across the Haflong town.
The protest rally was spearheaded by leading women’s organization of the hill district, Haflong Ladies Welfare Organization.
Apart from various women’s organizations, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha, Dima Hasao Mahila Congress and girl students and women teachers of several schools of the district took part in the protest rally displaying placard and shouting slogans.
The protest rally that began from the playground of Synod High School traversed through all the major thoroughfares of the Haflong town before congregating in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Interacting with media on the side-lines of the protest march, secretary of Haflong Ladies Welfare Organization, Gopa Choudhury said the increasing incidents of rape and molestation across the country has put the lives of girls and women at grave risk.
Choudhury also advocated formulation of strong laws under which rapists can be hanged through fast track justice.
She said that under the present existing law, rapists get away easily after getting jail term.
BJP women’s wing president Parbati Thousen also spoke on the same lines and said its about time for immediate amendment of existing law.
Eminent women activist Meowa Rymbai Deb urged the Assam Police to be more alert and pro-active against incidents of rape in the State.
Notably, several NGOs also took active part in Saturday’s rally.
Later a memorandum signed by representatives of several parties and organizations addressed to State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was handed over the Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner where the agitating organizations demanded capital punishment for the rapists.