Serial Rapes in Assam's Kokrajhar: Political Conspiracy or Coincidence?

Kokrajhar, October 1, 2019:

A curious series of incidents have been reported from Assam's Kokrajhar district ahead of the ensuing Council elections in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). A seemingly inter-linked series of rapes against indigenous Bodo women have been reported from Kokrajhar town, as well as surrounding rural areas in the district.

Locals of Kokrajhar believe that the Naba Kumar Sarania-led BTAD army is behind it, whereas, others allege that a greater political conspiracy is afoot. Meanwhile, many Bodo organizations have been organizing protests demanding strict action against the offenders.

Assam Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, while speaking to Inside Northeast, said, "A Hindi-speaking person has been nabbed, and he has admitted that was committing the crimes himself. People suspect that there is a bigger gang involved in these acts. Girl students staying in lodgings and hostels are worst affected by these incidents. But girls stay mum as they fear losing their modesty. However, CCTV cameras have caught an incident, and a person was finally nabbed. Now, some thugs are demanding his release."

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The Minister also revealed that two Rajbongshi boys have also arrested in relation to the case. "I suspect that this is a political ploy meant to begin a communal riot. Naba Kr. Sarania has been making some bold statements latelym . I am warning the offenders not to do this. Authorities also suspect that a bigger gang is behind this series of rapes", she added.

Bodoland People's Front (BPF) Working President Biswajit Daimary has opined that the Kokrajhar incidents are indeed very serious as women and girls are being raped. "Chloroform is being used to make them unconscious, they are raped and their nude videos are left on their cell phones. This is, frankly, quite shocking", he said.

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Daimary further informed that while the common public believes that Naba Sarania's BTAD army is responsible, while intelligentsia believes that someone is trying to incite communal riots with these staged rapes of Bodo women ahead of the BTC elections to be held in April, 2020.

"At least ten such incidents have been reported and the situation is getting out of hand. The people behind these need to be booked, or else something serious will happen", he said.

"I appeal people not to to take the law into their hands, and hand suspects over to the police. I also urge the authorities to conduct sensitization drive about these incidents in order to create awareness", Daimary further appealed.

Inside Northeast tried to speak to the Superintendent of Kokrajhar district, who declined to comment on the matter.

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