Tribal woman stripped, CM orders probe

Updated on Monday, November 26, 2007, 00:00 IST

Jorhat (Assam), Nov 26: As visuals of a tribal woman being stripped and assaulted on the streets of Guwahati drew nationwide revulsion, Assam government today ordered a judicial inquiry into Saturday's clashes between adivasis and residents there and announced Rs one lakh assistance for her.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here that the inquiry would go into the circumstances leading to the clash between tribals and local residents and all other related matters and the judge would submit its report within two to three months.

Assam Planning and Development Minister and former Assembly Speaker Prithvi Majhi, himself a tribal, described it as "very barbaric" the assault of tribals and the stripping of the woman.

Tribal students and tea garden workers, demanding Scheduled Tribe status, had gone on the rampage in Guwahati on Saturday attacking shops and other business establishments triggering a clash with local residents. The violence left one dead and over 230 injured.

Tribal leaders from Jharkhand cutting across political parties condemned the assault on adivasis in Guwahati and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Sibu Soren demanded ST status for them in Assam.

Meeting in hospitals the Adivasi victims of Saturday's clash in Guwahati, Soren told reporters "the Adivasis work to feed the nation....The state government has to push their demand so that the Centre accepts it".

Jharkhand's Congress unit asked Chief Minister Madhu Koda to call upon his Assam counterpart to take effective steps and prevent a repeat of Saturday's incidents.

CPI(M) accused the Assam police and administration of non-seriousness during the rally that led to the violence.

The Janata Dal(U) also extended moral support to the bandh, said its spokesman Pramod Mishra.

Several other political parties and organisations also deplored the Guwahati incident.

Meanwhile, police arrested three people allegedly responsible for outraging the modesty of an Adivasi woman during the clash.

The three arrested were Prasenjit Chakravarty, Sandip Chakdar and Ratul Barman.

Bureau Report

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In the land of Mahabarata epic story How much education and culture people have achieved. The credit goes to Government, Religion and educcation institution. -Dr. Thiruvengadam -

This is the scene of civilized world. Man like dogs are stripping girls and police is the specitator on the other hand Tarun Gogai offered Rs-1 lac for compensation. The mob was of 10000 people and insufficient police or pera military force. These are all politically motivated. Assam replied for the Nadigram issue. -Tamal -

CONGRESS is the worst party on the planet. They have done every single abuse possible on the planet. Be it Genocide of sikhs or division of people on basis or religion or caste. These people have no shame. Congress workers have stripped an innocent woman to polarize the vote bank. SHAME on CONGRESS PARTY. SHAME on CONGRESS PARTY. -Rajesh R -

Whenever I read such news reports of women being stripped naked, interestingly, the victims somehow also happen to be dalits or tribals. So there appears to be some correlation. One may argue that the issue is about women as a whole, but I feel convinced that the victim’s misery is compounded by the fact that she is a “tribal”, therefore lesser human and a slave. At least I have not come across news of non-dalit and non-tribal women being stripped. Sorry for sounding casteist, but lets face the reality. -sandeep -

This is one of the worst cases which shows that women in india are still treated as animals..this is a very shameful act and the people involved in this should be punished surely.. -sheenu -

Shameful and pathetic. The criminals who did this should be hanged. Not much has changed in India after all has it! -Beeba -