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Assam CM says key accused in Orissa

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said the key accused in the molestation of a girl here was traced to Bhubaneswar.

'Tracking of [Amarjyoti Kalita] mobile phone has pointed to his presence in Bhubaneswar. Assam Police are in touch with their Odisha counterpart and we hope to trace him soon,' he told reporters outside the Assembly.

Police have announced Rs one lakh cash award for information on the whereabouts of Kalita.

Gogoi also said the role of a news channel journalist, accused by RTI activist Akhil Gogoi of instigating the assault outside a city pub, was unethical.

'This was a case of unethical journalism. It is all right to film the incident as part of professional duty but as part of social responsibility the journalist should have informed the police,' he said.

'The media blames the government and particularly the police on all counts but journalists too have a responsible role in the society and in this particular case they have failed miserably,' Gogoi said.

The journalist, Gaurav Jyoti Neog, had on Sunday resigned from the news channel and also the Electronic Media Forum Assam.

'I am ready to meet the girl and we are going to help her by all means, including arranging proper rehabilitation for the girl,' the chief minister said.

The role of a local TV news channel's journalist was first alleged by anti-dam activist Akhil Gogoi. He also submitted video footage of the incident to the state police chief and media on Friday, showing the journalist instigating the crowd to assault the girl.

The chief minister said he had already set up an inquiry commission headed by Additional Chief Secretary Emily Choudhury. 'I have also directed police to form a special task force to deal with the increasing crime against women in Assam,' he added.

'To analyse the crime situation in the state, I have asked the Tata Institute of Social Sciences [TISS] here to carry out research and steps will be taken accordingly to stop the rising crime graph against women,' Gogoi added.

He also admitted there were lapses on the part of police primarily because there is shortage of manpower in the state police force Admitting that there were lapses on part of the police, Gogoi said, 'I am confident that all the culprits will be brought to book soon.'

Police are likely to ask Neog and the cameraperson about their presence at the spot and what they did to stop the attack on the girl. 'If any culpability is found, they may be arrested too,' a source said.

Earlier in the day, members of opposition AIUDF, AGP and BJP walked out of the assembly after the Speaker disallowed an adjournment motion on the molestation issue. agencies


GUWAHATI SSP SHUNTED OUT

The Assam government transferred City Senior Superintendent of Police Apurba Jiban Baruah following the outrage over the molestation of a teenaged girl outside a pub here. Official sources said Dibrugarh SP Arabinda Kalita has been asked to take charge as Guwahati SSP with immediate effect. The transfer followed the demand by the National Commission for Women for the removal of Baruah and public outrage over the incident. Baruah has been transferred to Dibrugarh. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi met the girl at her home and assured the government will provide all protection and help to her for her rehabilitation.


NCW MEMBER REMOVED FOR CARELESSNESS

The Guwahati molestation case had an unexpected fallout on Monday, when the National Commission for Women (NCW) decided to sack its member Alka Lamba from the enquiry committee that had gone to Assam to probe the case. The NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma took exception to the fact that Lamba revealed the name of the victim after meeting her on Saturday. Not just that, she stood by her decision to name the victim when asked to comment on the decision. This development led to a delay in the submission of the committee report. It was expected on Monday.

The victim was attacked by a group of men on a busy Guwahati road a week back.
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