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Annu Singh. Picture by
UB Photos
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April 27: The Nirjatan Birudhi Oikya Mancha, a women’s pressure group, today demanded that police take action against the individuals allegedly threatening and harassing Annu Singh, a 26-year-old widow.
The Mancha will also organise a programme on this at Kundil Nagar in Basista Chariali as well as gherao Hatigaon police station on Saturday.
Annu was allegedly driven out of her in-laws’ home by her brother-in-law, Dilip Singh and his wife, after the death of her husband on February 8. She was allegedly ill-treated and made to starve. She resided with her husband and in-laws at Ajanta Path in the Survey area.
She had even filed an FIR with Hatigaon police station against the couple after they had driven her out of the house. Though the police had arrested Dilip’s wife, he was moving around freely. His wife, too, got bail within three days of her arrest.
“Annu was continuously harassed by her brother-in-law after her husband’s death. She is now staying in her maternal uncle’s home. Though she filed an FIR against them, they got bail and are moving freely. Rich men like Dilip Singh always manage to escape from the clutches of law,” said Sumitra Hazarika, secretary of the Mancha.
“I was tortured by my brother-in-law and his wife following my husband’s death in February. Soon after the shraddh, they asked me to leave saying I had no place in their home as my husband was no more. Where will I go now as my mother resides in her maternal home and my father died a long time ago? I had even knocked on the door of law but haven’t managed to get justice,” said Annu.
Annu had filed a complaint of domestic violence with the district social welfare officer against Dilip and his wife in March. The officer has referred the complaint to the CJM for inquiry and a copy has also been forwarded to the officer-in-charge of Hatigaon police station.
“Since Dilip Singh has threatened to harm Annu, we will gherao Hatigaon police station tomorrow. Besides, Annu has a right to her husband’s property and should be able to return home in Survey,” said Sumitra.
“It is essential that the young generation fights this social evil,” said Anima Guha, author and president of the Mancha.
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