IMPHAL, Aug 12: A large number of activists, students and people from the North East today protested in front of the Assam Bhawan in New Delhi against the alleged rape of a pregnant woman by an Army personnel, informed a statement of the North-East Forum for Internation Solidarity.
It said the protest was held under the banner of the forum.
The protestors demanded the immediate arrest of the army personnel who allegedly raped the woman in Kokrajhar district, Assam, it said.
It said the protest was held against the alleged rape which occurred during Sunday night in Assam`™s Kokrajhar district.
NEFIS has further demanded immediate arrest of the accused army personnel.
Eminent activist Maya John of Centre for Struggling Women too joined the protest and pointed out the role of `AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act)` in granting impunity to the armed forces personnel who have been abusing the people of North-East including Assam, who have faced various forms of repression in the past, it said.
The statement also expressed that women are the most vulnerable victims, facing brutal exploitation such as rape.
According to the statement, it is to be noted that AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is imposed in various districts of Assam under which the Army have legal immunity for their actions. There are serious chances of putting even this rape case under the carpet as done earlier, it said. Police cannot take any action against the perpetrators unless the Home Ministry gives permission for the same, the statement said.
Such provisions clearly stand against the common masses as such cases are gross violation of human rights and justice, it said and added that NEFIS will take the issue further in the coming days if the government does not immediately arrest the perpetrators and takes action against them.