Nepali tourist assault case: Complaint filed against accused at Mariani police station, probe underway

In the latest development regarding the assault incident involving a Nepali female tourist in Mariani, the police have formally registered a case based on a complaint filed by a friend of the victim.

The complaint alleges that the victim was subjected to molestation and physical assault by individuals the day before. Additionally, it is reported in the FIR that the victim was subjected to racist remarks and had her gender questioned.

According to the latest report, the incident occurred on April 1st, 2024, around 10:30 PM, when the victim was walking near Hengul Theatre, Mariani-Cinnamara Road. Allegedly, there was a confrontation between the victim and local residents, with one individual questioning whether she was from Nagaland. This interaction stemmed from previous news regarding a missing woman from Nagaland, leading to tensions escalating and resulting in a dispute before the crowd dispersed.

The following day, a formal complaint was lodged at Mariani Police Station by a friend of the victim, detailing the alleged molestation and physical assault she endured, along with the racist remarks directed at her and the questioning of her gender.

Subsequently, Mariani Police Station filed a case, number 23/2024 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and conducted an investigation. The complainant, accused individuals, and other witnesses were interviewed during the inquiry. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Titabor has maintained continuous communication with the victim, providing necessary support, and the Investigating Officer (IO) has facilitated the victim's medical treatment and requested her statement be recorded before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

However, there was a misunderstanding on the victim's part regarding the request to record her statement, perceiving it as being sent to court rather than as a victim. Efforts to clarify this misunderstanding are ongoing, while further investigation into the case continues to uncover additional details.

For the unversed, a video featuring a Nepali girl appealing for justice surfaced online, in which she was seen pleading the Chief Minister of Assam to take action against those who attempted to harass and assault her simply because she sported short hair and had a more masculine appearance.

In the shared video, the girl recounts her ordeal, expressing how she was verbally and physically harassed by individuals from her neighborhood in Mariani, Assam, merely for taking a stroll at night while being a girl with short hair. She further reveals distressing details, stating that officers at the local police station mocked her attire and appearance, while the accused, who allegedly had connections with the police, were treated with hospitality. Despite waiting for three hours, she received no justice.