Massive protests erupted in Badlapur on Tuesday (August 20) after two minor girls were sexually assaulted in Badlapur. A similar situation was seen in Assam. A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped here. The accused, who molested the girl, belonged to the Marwari community, leading to clashes between outsiders and Assamese in the city. The ULFA (I), a militant outfit of Assam, had launched an agitation against the Marwari community, claiming that they were outsiders. The Marwari community then knelt before the cabinet minister and apologised.
The incident took place on Sunday (August 13). The police have registered a case against the accused under the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. Since both the accused belonged to the local trading community, the repercussions of the incident were seen as local versus outsider. Most of the shops in the city belong to the Marwari community. He was angry about it. The shops of non-Assamese traders were closed on Monday as 30 activists of the Assamese Nationalist Association (ANA) staged a protest.
After the protest, State Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Sivasagar district Ranoj Pegu held a meeting with the office bearers of Assamese Nationalist Organization and Marwari Group. At the meeting, the men and women of the Marwari community went down on their knees and apologised to Cabinet Minister Pegu, the district administration and the agitating unions. He also apologised to the media. Later, the matter was resolved by serving betel leaf to the protesters.
The three demands of the Assamese
The members who attended the meeting told The Indian Express that three major demands were put forth by the Assamese nationalist organisation. The first demand is to make a law that the land in the district cannot be sold to anyone other than the locals. Another demand is that non-Assamese traders should write their names in Assamese on the boards of their shops. The third demand is that 90 per cent of employment in the industry of non-Assamese professionals should be given to the local youth.
Vinod Agarwal, a representative of the Marwari community, said, "We have accepted all the demands of the Assamese organization. "Our case is over. The Marwari community has condemned the incident and said that such incidents will not happen again. He also met the families of the victims and expressed his condolences. We have accepted their demands, "he said. A compensation of Rs two lakh was announced for the family of the victim.
Cabinet Minister Pegu, while briefing the media, said, "The Assamese organization put forward some demands before us regarding the right to land, employment and local language. We are trying to fulfil these demands under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The rift between the two communities has now been resolved.
Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, however, supported the movement of the Assamese organization. If Assamese people are not safe in Assam, where will we go? He posed a question. Akhil Gogoi's party is the main opposition party in the state.