"Can You Return My Self-Respect?"—Assaulted Numaligarh Vendor Cries Out

Tension continued to simmer in Numaligarh following an incident involving the alleged assault of a local Assamese youth by a non-Assamese woman at Telgaram. The scene unfolded within the premises of the Numaligarh Outpost Police Station.

The youth, identified as Ratul Bora, a local fruit vendor who runs his roadside shop to support his family, was reportedly beaten multiple times by a woman named Mizamun Nisha. The altercation has sparked widespread outrage among local residents.

What has further fueled public anger are serious allegations against police officers at the outpost. Locals claim the victim was pressured by officers, including the DSP present at the time, to "settle" the matter and withdraw the case. It is alleged that the youth was even summoned to the DSP’s cabin and coerced into dropping the complaint.

Speaking to the media, Ratul Bora, the local youth allegedly assaulted by a woman in Numaligarh’s Telgaram area, recounted the traumatic incident with visible emotion. He claimed that the woman, identified as Mizamun Nisha, beat him repeatedly, even with her slippers, while he did not retaliate or touch her.

After reporting the assault to the police, Bora said he was shocked when officers dismissed it as an “accidental case.” “I asked them, can you return my dignity? My self-respect?” Bora said, his voice trembling with grief and frustration.

He further alleged that when he pressed the police to take action against the woman, they responded, “What can we do now? Only the Circle Officer can act once they arrive.” Bora also claimed that the DSP present at the station told him to “settle the matter among yourselves.”

“What if tomorrow they kill me? Will the police still call it an accident and not murder?” Bora questioned, accusing the police of apathy and bias.

In a further blow, he alleged that the police have now “lost” both the FIR he filed and his medical report. On being summoned to the station again, Bora said police asked him to accompany them for a fresh medical examination. “Is this how the police treat someone just because he’s poor?” Bora asked in tears, adding that despite submitting video evidence, no action had been taken against the accused.

When the media confronted the DSP and asked whether he had indeed advised Bora to settle the matter privately, the officer denied making such a statement and reportedly tried to evade the situation.

The Golaghat District Committee of Bir Lachit Sena has since intervened, visiting the police station and demanding that the authorities take the matter seriously and ensure justice is served.

As tempers flare once again in the area, all eyes are on the police to see what action will be taken regarding the assault and the allegations of mishandling by officers.

Also Read: Journalist Assaulted by Mob in Assam's Dhemaji; TMPK Link Alleged