HT Bureau
DIPHU, April 23: Several social organisations have condemned the alleged physical assault of a woman by the secretary, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Mukul Kathar on Saturday.
Condemning the incident, the Karbi Anglong Women Justice Forum (KAWJF) in a press conference held at Member Hostel here on Sunday said the physical assault on a woman by a government officer is condemnable.
It may be recalled that on the evening of April 22, secretary, KAAC, Kathar had an altercation with a woman in front of LB’s Bakery, Rongnihang, here in presence of the owner of LB’s Bakery Rohila Engtipi asking them whereabouts of his wife Lindaline Teronpi.
Kathar raised his hands to physically assault the woman. The CCTV camera installed in front of the bakery has shown Kathar attacking the woman, while trying to get down from the car. After the incident the woman lodged an FIR against Kathar at Diphu Police Station.
President, KAWJF, Beaulet Beypi in a press meeting said, “Such qualified ACS officers like Kathar should not attack women. He should not use a gun to threaten his wife or any other woman. The unfortunate incident is condemnable.”
Beypi further said that it may be a domestic issue between him and his wife, but the problem should be solved between them instead of bringing it in front of the public. She said the law and order authority should seize the gun of Kathar as it may create trouble in the near future also.
In a joint press conference convened by various social organisations held at Diphu Press Club, the president, Indigenous Youth Union of Karbi Anglong (IYUKA), Anando Bey also said officers like Kathar should have not made life threats to women using a gun. The incident is condemnable.
President, United Karbi Youth Council (UKYC) Sanjay Timung also said if such an officer does like this, what people can learn from him. It has created a negative impact on others. He should have refrained himself from making threats. But he has used his position and power to threaten others which is not acceptable.
President, Karbi Anglong Indigenous People’s Organisation (KAIPO), Semson Rongpi said, “Their personal matters should not be made known before the general public and should be solved within themselves. We hope that such life threatening events will not occur again.”
The organisations present at the press meet were KSYU, All Students Youth Union, United People of Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong Youth development Association and Lumbajong Youth Development Committee.
The family members of the woman also showed media persons where Kathar opened fire in front of their house at Rukasen, Diphu.
The woman’s family members said that Kathar had gone there and asked them to find out his wife Lindaline Teronpi within 24 hours. He had an altercation with them and opened fire towards the ground.
