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Durba Paul, Priya Mazumder, Sagnick Gupta Still Untraced; Bail Plea Rejected

Despite continuous operations by police in connection with the assault on two tribal woman vendors in Silchar on November, all the suspects are still untraced.

Two tribal woman vendors Gracy Hmar and Lalmounpui Hmar, both residents of Hmarkhawlien village in Cachar district, were assaulted at a market at Jail Road in Silchar on November 24 for allegedly stealing a stray dog to sell its meat. An FIR was lodged on December 5 after a video of the assault surfaced on social media.

The video, which drew vehement reactions from various circles, shows a girl identified as Durba Paul abusing, threatening and assaulting one of the woman vendors. Two others, Priya Mazumder and Sagnick Gupta were present.
Sources said the bail plea of the trio was rejected on Thursday.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin over phone on Thursday, Lalsiemthar Hmar, vice-president of the Barak Valley, said it was quite surprising that the police had not been able to track down the trio yet. Had the police been a bit prompt, the suspects would have been behind bars, he said.

He said they would go for large-scale protests soon, however, the date has not been finalised yet. “We will not remain silent till the victims get justice,” he said.
Fanjowbam Lokenath, secretary general of the Manipuri Youths’ Front Assam, said they would extend their full support to the protests going to be launched regarding the matter. “The culprits should be held at the earliest,” he said.

Several organisations including the Barak Valley Hmar Students’ Association, Manipuri Youths Front Assam, All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union, Dimasa Students’ Union and Stand for People’s Group among others had staged a protest in front of Cachar deputy commissioner’s office on Friday.

A memorandum was submitted to Cachar deputy commissioner S. Lakshmanan demanding arrest of the culprits. Silchar MLA Dilip Kumar Paul, who visited the office, strongly demanded arrest of the culprits.
Sources said one/two relative(s) of one of the three suspects was summoned by police on Thursday night.

Cachar superintendent of police Rakesh Roushan told Barak Bulletin over phone on Thursday evening that the suspects were at large and police were searching them. “We are trying our best to nab them,” he said.

Sources are active in different areas and operations are being conducted. Hopefully, they will be arrested soon, he added.

Besides, he confirmed about rejection of the bail plea of the suspects.

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