GUWAHATI: A 30-year old resident of Barak Valley was allegedly raped on Sunday, May 9 near the NIT campus in Silchar.
The victim, Pranami Singha (name changed), filed an FIR at the Ghungoor Police Outpost. She was later tested COVID-19 positive and as such her medical examination got delayed.
A widow with two children, the victim who is from the Manipuri-speaking community is a sweeper at the RE Hospital. According to information provided by her to the police, while returning home after work, she was offered a lift by one Kanhai Lal Goala as there was non-availability of vehicles owing to the COVID-19 restrictions. The person claimed that he was from the nearby locality and insisted on the lift even though she had refused initially.
Instead of taking her home, Goala took her to a place near the boy's hostel inside the campus. She was purportedly raped there and was joined by two others named Mahesh Goala and Sonot Kumar Goala. They are said to have escaped from the spot after Singha started screaming.
The police nabbed the three accused within 24 hours even though they received flak from the Manipuri organizations over the delay of medical examination. "We have done everything as per norms and have even tested her. We caught the accused as well and are properly investigating the matter," an official investigating the matter told G Plus on anonymity.
The Manipuri Youth's Front Assam has condemned the incident and had demanded that the test be held along with providing urgent psychological support and compensation in a statement shared with G Plus. The Youth Forum for protection of Human Rights, Imphal, Manipur has demanded stringent punishment for the culprits. In a statement shared with G Plus, they claim to have informed the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and are planning to write to Assam Chief Minister as well.
The victim had lost her husband four years back and has been living with her 7-year-old and 5-year-old son.