Is the Guwahati-Shillong (GS) Road in Meghalaya safe for women travellers at night?
This question has been raised following a reported incident of chasing, physical abuse and attempt to molest four girls from Assam by four miscreants from Nongpoh, the district headquarters of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya, on the GS Road near Nongpoh on Sunday night.
Among the victim girls there was also the National Secretary of the International Human Rights (IHR).
According to media reports, the incident took place in an area near Nongpoh. Reportedly, four youths, who have been suspected to be Khasi youths, chased the girls with a Maruti car and as the girls’ vehicle reached an isolated place, their vehicle was stopped on the road and they were abused both verbally and physically. A victim also alleged that the youths even dragged the woman driver of their vehicle with an intention to molest her.
However, the girls escaped following a clash and reached Nongpoh Police Station, but as the police there had shown no interest in the case, the victim girls arrived at Jorabat Police Station and filed an FIR against the unidentified youths.
A victim girl talking to media persons in Guwahati on Monday alleged that they had received no response from the toll free No 181-Sakhi, which was launched by Assam government on Thursday at Dispur for women to lodge complaints related to domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry cases, eve-teasing in public/work places etc.
Jorabat Police reportedly said as the incident had happened in a place under the jurisdiction of Meghalaya, they have not enough information regarding it, however, they sent the victims for medical test. The Ri-Bhoi Police reportedly stated that they would take proper steps in the case.