Woman arrested in assault case

From our correspondent

Itagar, Sept 5: The Itagar Women police on Monday arrested one Rani Jamoh Tawe, wife of Power department Junior Engineer Kamta Tawe for allegedly assaulting Itagar Extra Assistant Commissioner C Tame Yajum at her office here.

The arrest was made in connection with the ongoing eviction drive along NH-415. The drive in the Capital Complex began a couple of weeks ago for a four-lane project.

Yajum said that the accused came to her chamber along with her husband around 9.30 am on Monday and began assaulting her after using provocative language. The couple allegedly vandalised her office too.

“On August 23, I received an order from the administration to carry out eviction drive in the area where Rani lives. She created problems when the eviction team started the process on August 24. As the matter went out of hand, I had then lodged a complaint at the police station,” the EAC said.

She added that Rani was arrested by the police at that time but was released later.

“Even the DC had filed a complaint against her but I have no clue how she got free. I have no persol grudge against or dispute with the duo but they assaulted me even when I tried to explain that the eviction process was done under the order of the administration and deputy commissioner.  I suffered injuries on my hand,” the EAC said.

“The highway will be constructed by any means because people are suffering from traffic and parking problems. We are working for the people and under government norms,” she added.

Yajum, however, did not provide the CCTV footage of her office and said it has been given to the police for further investigation. On the other hand, Rani and Tawe refuted the allegations and said the EAC had first slapped the former.

Before she was arrested, Rani claimed that she had actually visited the EAC’s office to seek clarification on why the administration had demolished her house as it stood beyond the right of way (ROW).

She added that the EAC refused to reply to her query as well as show the order copy. “As I insisted for the same the EAC slapped and assaulted me,” Rani said.

According to Rani, state officer Giken Bomjen had earlier told her that the area would not be demolished as the case was pending in the court.

Tawe said Rani had then lodged a complained at the Women’s police station against Yajum, but the police arrested his wife instead of arresting the EAC.

“The police are backing the EAC as she is using her power to give a new direction to the case. The administration has all its right to demolish the structure which falls within ROW but they cannot when the structure is beyond it. This is wrong,” Tawe said.

He also said that the CCTV footage of the EAC’s office would make everything clear if put in the public domain. “I have video recording of the incident which I shall use if necessary,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Service Associations of Aruchal Pradesh (CoSAAP), while condemning the incident, urged the police and administration to punish the culprits appropriately.