Sexual assault video: Victim not from Nagaland; Assam police to reward info

Guwahati: Assam Police has promised to reward anyone who is able to identify the culprits seen in a now viral assault video across the Northeast. The disturbing and graphic video of sexual assault has been circulated widely, with people assuming the victim to be from Nagaland, based on reports of a Naga woman’s death by suicide in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on Sunday, May 23.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, IPS officer Robin Hibu, Meghalaya MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh and Assam Police are among the few who came out on social media to say the viral sexual assault video is not related to the Jodhpur suicide case and that authorities across states are working to ascertain the identity of the victim and the perpetrators.

Assam Police, on Thursday, announced a reward for whoever identifies the culprits in the sexual assault video that shows a young girl getting tortured and violated.

Posting pictures of four men and one woman, the state police called for any information regarding the criminals or the crime. It tweeted: “These images are of 5 culprits who are seen brutally torturing & violating a young girl in a viral video. The time or place of this incident is not clear. Anyone with information regarding this crime or the criminals may please contact us. They will be rewarded handsomely.”

People across Northeast have associated the viral video to the recent case of suicide of Lovikali Assumi, a 24-year-old Naga woman in Jodhpur, however, IPS Robin Hibu clarified that it is not related to the case.

Taking to social media, Hibu wrote, “We are trying to identify the girl, also the perpetrators for further action. The video is not related to the Naga girl suicide case of late Lovikali Sumi at Jodhpur. The sister of the dead girl and Police have verified the video, it’s not the suicide girl, who is in the video.”

“Have already informed Gujarat Police, Mizoram Police and Rajasthan Police.
Some miscreants have dubbed it as the same case of Jodhpur Naga girl suicide case.
I have spoken personally to DCP Jodhpur now.”

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also said that the sexual assault video is not related to the Jodhpur suicide case. He tweeted, “The viral video of a girl from North-East being brutally raped and tortured by 4 men & 1 women is not related to Jodhpur suicide case. I had detail discussion with the Police Commissioner of Jodhpur. However, there must be all out efforts by all State Police to catch the devils.”

Meanwhile, Meghalaya legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh wrote on Facebook that the Meghalaya police is also on a lookout in the case.

“I have spoken with the Director General of Police – Meghalaya Police to enquire and verify with his counterpart in the Rajasthan Police with regard to unconfirmed news regarding the sexual assault of a lady alleged to be from the North-East. I reiterate that this is serious case which will be dealt with by the police.”

As on Thursday, EastMojo and independent fact-checkers have been unable to establish the persons involved, or where and when the incident took place.

Advocate Jyoti Zongluju, legal advisor, Helping Hands, Delhi, has warned against circulation of the video as it may attract legal actions given the content of media. She said that investigation is going on by authorities to determine the victim and perpetrators.