Womenfolk agitated over anti-social activities

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, March 13: The womenfolk of the grater areas of Karatigram, covering Lobanyamayee lane and Rongpur on the northern side of this town across Barak bridge are peeved at and agitated over the antisocial activities of a family in the area. After decades of peaceful living, the residents are now faced with the serious problem of the vicious impact of the most obnoxious and polluting activities, creating breach of peace and tranquillity.

 In a memorandum addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, the residents, mostly women, have stated that it has been come to their notice that one person identified as Swapan Das and his family members, Maya Das and Sunu Das, are running immoral trafficking and prostitution as their business. Proper information was lodged with the local police petrol post as well as sadar tha and expected prompt action from them.

 The women organization under the banner of mahila samiti as well as different NGOs and clubs also raised their voice against the family and their antisocial and illegal activities on several occasion. Surprisingly, there was no action from police. This only emboldened the antisocial elements who instead of amending their ways threatened those who came out openly to protest. They even claimed the police are in their pockets and do whatever could be done.  They also intimated the protesters on the ground of implicating them in false cases.

 Despite all the intimidations, local residents gathered the courage to catch red-handed a few pairs of couples in objectioble postures and handed them over to the petrol post. As expected, the officer-in-charge concerned did not take any action and demanded concrete proofs against the identified antisocial family. Again on February 9 around 7:30 pm, one boy and a girl were similarly caught from the premises of the said family and handed them over to police.

 Under pressure from general people, Maya Das and Sunu Das admitted their offence and promised to desist from such activities. It was just a hoax and to take the residents for a ride, because they have the backing of a stronger muscle men. Ignoring and defying all threats from the people, Das family was back to square one, turning their residence a fertile hub of prostitution.

 Quite alarming, a few girls of the economically poor family are being lured into the murky business. Their parents are having sleepless nights, the memorandum alleges. Quite recently, when the wife of Swapan Das raised her voice against immoral trafficking, she was physically assaulted. Her shouts and screaming attracted the residents who came to her rescue. Swapan Das, Maya Das and Sunu Das openly brandished sharp weapons to scare away those who rushed for the protection of the woman.

 However, on being informed, police from local petrol post came and brought the situation under control. But, its role was just a show because two accused persons with sharp weapons caught by the police released one of them. Two persons injured during the scuffle are still under medical treatment. In view of the gravity of the situation, the residents have demanded immediate and effective action against the culprits. Women residents in particular staged protest demonstration before the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and thereafter submitted the memorandum to him today.