Sibsagar (Assam): The magisterial committee formed to investigate the molestation of a teenage girl on July 13 allegedly by Army jawans at Demow in Sibsagar district began public hearings on Saturday.
District magistrate Purabi Gogoi entrusted with the investigation met locals at Nitaipukhuri in Demow where the incident took place, official sources said.
Meanwhile, agitationists in the district have demanded removal of deputy commissioner Jatindra Lahkar from Sibsagar for his alleged failure to act against the jawans.
A total of 22 outfits, including the influential All Assam Students` Union (AASU), Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), All Tai Ahom Students` Union (ATASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad, have launched an agitation demanding punishment to the jawans.
Yesterday, they had organised a gherao of the DC`s office and smashed barricades.
The girl, the victim of the incident, had gone to collect firewood in the flood area when she was confronted by some jawans posted in a nearby army camp.
She created a furore which attracted the attention of the villagers who rushed to the spot.
They managed to free the girl from the clutches of the army personnel and lodged a complaint with the local police station. One of the jawans has been arrested but he is in Army custody.
The agitators want the case to be handled by civil authorities and for the jawans to be arrested by police.
PTI
