Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF), a Mizoram-based human rights organisation on Tuesday wrote to the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking its intervention into the alleged molestation of two women in Mizoram’s Champhai district.
In a letter, addressed to NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, forum coordinator C. Lalremruata said two married women were allegedly molested by Assam Rifles personnel near Sesih village in Champhai district, bordering Myanmar on August 15.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The incident occurred when the women were returning home from their jhum field after work in the evening.
The letter said a warrant of arrest was issued against the perpetrators on September 9 following a complaint lodged at Champhai police station.
“It is learned that no legal actions have been taken till date. Assam Rifles authorities denied the allegation and said that they did not receive any report of such incident and that complaint be lodged with the head of the force so that the accused is booked,” the letter said.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The forum urged the NCW to intervene and investigate the alleged molestation case and direct the authorities to arrest the perpetrators.
It further asked the commission to impose a penalty on the authorities for delaying the arrest of the culprits and issue a directive to compensate the victims.
The forum also said it wrote to the Mizoram State Commission for Women on August 20 but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Mizoram deputy inspector general of police (eastern range) Lalhuliana said a warrant of arrest was issued against an Assam Rifles jawan on September 9.
The arrest of the jawan has been delayed as Assam Rifles asked the case to be transferred to their own court, he said.
He said a hearing on the transfer of the case was held at Champhai chief judicial magistrate’s court on Tuesday during which the Assam Rifles authority sought an extension.
The next hearing will be conducted on October 8, he added.