Amid the spiralling turbulences regarding the sexual assault of women in the ethnic clashes-hit northeastern state of Manipur, the Border Security Force (BSF) has suspended a jawan on charges of molesting a local woman at a grocery store in last week, an official said on Tuesday.
A CCTV footage that was widely circulated on social media captured video of head constable Satish Prasad who was allegedly abusing the woman donning his combat uniform and carrying an INSAS rifle.
Steps taken by the BSF
According to the officials, the incident was reported on July 20 in the Imphal West district.
After receiving a complaint, the allegation was checked and subsequently the trooper was suspended on the same day.
It has also been reported that a court of inquiry proceeding has been initiated against the accused who belongs to the number 100 battalion of the force that was sent to the state as an ad-hoc unit for security duties.
The BSF has zero tolerance for such acts and a fair investigation will be conducted in this incident, a BSF official asserted.
More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
