Army inquiry into molestation completed, trial to begin

The army's Dah Division in an letter to the All Tai Ahom Students' Union (ATASU) and a women organisation Mahila Samiti, said that it was to ensure speedy justice to the victim that the army took over the case from the civil court.

"Unlike the normal court process, in the Army a court is formed to try a particular case to ensure speedy justice as we believe that justice delayed in justice denied", the letter said.

"In this particular case, the guilty is currently in the unit lock-up and within one week of taking over the case, the inquiry was completed", it said.

The judicial process has been initiated to begin trial as soon as the sanction is received, which was expected soon.

"We will then start with framing of the charge(s) against the accused, wherein the statements of the witnesses and the accused will be taken", the letter pointed out.

"The guilty will not be spared and the girl will get justice and in these trying times we request people not to take any step that would help anti-national and anti-social elements in creating further disturbance and law and order problems", the letter said.

The girl was allegedly molested by an army jawan near Nitaipukhuri in Demow in Sibsagar district on July 13 while she had gone to collect firewood and there were large scale demonstration and protests against the incident by 22 organisations, including a semi-nude protest on July 25.