Stripped Adivasi girl deposes before judicial probe

Guwahati, Feb 2 (UNI) The Adivasi girl, whose stripping and assault during mob violence in Guwahati on November 24 last had sent shock waves across the country, today deposed before a judicial commission probing the incident.

The girl appeared before Justice (retd) Manisena Singh Commission at about 1300 hours, about two hours later then her previously scheduled timing as she had to be given medical treatment at a nearby hospital owing to nervous breakdown.

The doctors, after examining her, advised rest and stated that she could depose before the Commission as her condition was not serious.

Two other Adivasi victims of the clash, including another girl who was allegedly raped, also accompanied her. A host of All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA), who facilitated her deposition before the Commission, were also present.

Talking to reporters prior to appearing before the Commission, the Adivasi girl, recalling the incident, said, ''It was not just three youths who tore away my clothes. There were around 16 people, who, apart from stripping me, thrashed me with sticks and iron rods. She alleged that security personnel did not come to her rescue and said, ''In fact, it was a security personnel who made me kneel down on the road. Though many people advised me against appearing before the Commission, I did not listen to them. I want justice and want the guilty to be booked as soon as possible,'' she said, setting an example when many other critical witnesses to that day's mayhem have chosen to keep away from the Commission.

On the day's incident, the girl claimed that violence had started when a motorcycle had hit an Adivasi girl and local people had started pelting the processionists with stones.

It was only after this that the violence started, she added.

AASAA leaders Justin Lakra and David Horo also accompanied the girl and reiterated the group's decision to continue the agitation till the community was accorded ST status.

Largescale mob violence had erupted during an Adivasi rally in Guwahati on November 24 when the agitators had clashed with local residents after the former allegedly went on a rampage, damaging cars and shops. One person was killed and more than 250 injured in the mayhem.

UNI SG PL KK HT1847