Assam: NCW wants govt job for molestation victim

The chairperson of the National Commission for Women Mamata Sharma on Wednesday recommended Assam government to provide government job for the victim of July 9 Guwahati molestation episode besides proper counseling and rehabilitation.

She has also asked for better police surveillance with presence of women personnel in Assam. Interacting with the media after meeting Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Sharma said, "The NCW condemns the molestation incident and we met the chief minister in this regard. The NCW has put forward its recommendations, which the CM has accepted."

"The entire nation has been shamed by this act and the NCW will not rest until justice is delivered to the victim," she said.

Criticising the police for arrival at the molestation scene after 45 minutes, Sharma said, "The police should have acted prompt as their early arrival would have saved the victim from much of what she had to face at the hands of her tormentors."

She, however, pointed that the incident was also a reflection of 'public apathy and mental attitude' and blamed these for the rising trend of crime against women in the country in general.

"It is shameful that people saw the gang molesting the girl and did nothing about it. There is a need to change this mental attitude. The help of the public and society is needed and media must also play a positive role to change such mental attitude" she said.

While lauding media's role in bringing to forth the Guwahati molestation case, Sharma said media must also be sensitive in reporting such crimes and must not twist the facts.

Among the measures suggested by the NCW to ensure better women security in the state are police patrolling, along with women personnel, and special police pickets with women police in front of all 128 pubs in Guwahati up to 10.30 pm for their security and safety.

It has recommended the pubs to check age proof of its customers and install CCTVs outside all pubs.

The NCW has suggested the state government to instruct the police to act on any complaint of crime against women without going into jurisdiction territory and setting up a 24-hour women helpline and women cell in every police station.

On the victim of the Guwahati molestation case, the NCW has asked the state government to book the culprits and punish as per law and redressal of the grievances on a speedy basis and a time-bound manner by a fast-track court.

The chairperson urged the state government to grant financial and medical compensation to the victim and rehabilitate her in government job in accordance with the state policy or otherwise.

"Strict action should be taken against the police personnel responsible for committing the crime of arriving late and the public who remained mere spectators of the incident," Sharma said.

She added that action should also be taken against those who were protecting and hiding the culprits, as two of the accused still remained at large.

The chairperson said the NCW's recommendations were based on the report of its fact-finding team that had visited Guwahati after the incident and the complete report has been sent to the concerned ministry.

Sharma, accompanied by NCW Nirmala Samant, will hold meetings with the state director general of police and the chief secretary and is also likely to interview the victim.