Tripura govt constitutes committee to investigate molestation case

Agartala, Dec 19: The Tripura government has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the alleged molestation charge against joint secretary of the state Home Department Nepal Sen by one of his female staff.

Talking to mediapersons here today, state chief secretary Shashi Prakash said the investigation team, headed by state principal secretary Y P Singh and including two senior lady officers Nabanita Roy and Rakhi Biswas, was asked to file the inquiry report by December 24.

In the meantime, Mr Sen was temporarily discharged from duty till the investigation was completed and the chief secretary himself took charge of his office from today.

An irate mob, comprising some employees of the Civil Secretariat, assaulted Mr Sen yesterday in his office following the molestation charge.

The Tripura Civil Service Officers' Association demanded immediate action against the employees who assaulted Mr Sen, while the Opposition Congress today staged demonstrations and rallies across the state to protest the incident.

''The government does not have the moral support to remain in power, as women are not safe in the CPI(M)'s rule. The recent incidents, including rape of a minor girl in lock-up by a police officer and molestation of a female colleague in the office by a senior civil service officer, have established that there is no rule of law,'' Leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath said.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) welcomed the decision of inquiry into the allegations levelled against Mr Sen and demanded action against the employees, who assaulted the officer.

''The Congress has hatched a conspiracy to defame the administration ahead of the elections to gain political mileage,'' the CPI(M) said. The accused officer, Mr Sen, told UNI