PATNA: Jamui Police have launched an investigation after two videos allegedly showing the harassment of a Class 10 girl by a group of youths surfaced on social media. The videos purportedly show the girl being stopped on the road, subjected to inappropriate physical contact and allegedly dragged by some of the youths.Police have identified the minor victims and registered an FIR after taking cognisance of the viral footage.According to preliminary information, the incident occurred on the evening of September 19 in the Sadar police station area of Jamui. The girl and a Class 10 boy, both minors and residents of Jamui town, had reportedly gone to Marwa Pahad on a scooter after attending coaching classes.While returning, a group of youths allegedly stopped them on the road. During the incident, the youths allegedly behaved inappropriately with the girl, while another person recorded portions of the episode.In one of the videos, several youths can be seen surrounding the girl and questioning her about her name and residence. The boy accompanying her is allegedly separated from her, while the girl remains surrounded by the group.The footage purportedly shows some youths engaging in inappropriate physical contact with the girl and dragging her on the road. At one point, some people appear to intervene and try to rescue her. However, other youths allegedly approach again and the harassment continues.The incident is believed to have continued for around 20 minutes, although two videos of approximately 1 minute 2 seconds and 35 seconds have surfaced. A second video allegedly shows the girl being stopped again before some youths allow her to leave.Initially, the victims and their families did not approach the police. However, after the videos surfaced on social media, Jamui Police took cognisance of the matter, traced the victims and began an investigation.Jamui SP Vishwajit Dayal said, “A case had been registered at Nagar police station in connection with the viral videos and the alleged harassment of the minor boy and girl.”The SP said the incident occurred on September 19 and that the police had not received information from the victims or their families immediately after the incident. The investigation was initiated after the videos went viral, following which police contacted the victim.According to the SP, “No accused was named in the FIR. Investigators are identifying those involved on the basis of the videos and other evidence. The role of other suspects will be examined after the alleged main accused is identified and arrested.”The police are also verifying the authenticity and location of the videos and examining the circumstances in which they were recorded.Investigators are questioning people connected with the incident and collecting other available evidence.The SP described the incident as unfortunate and said strict action would be taken against all those found involved on the basis of evidence.He also said that since the case involved minors, the families had not immediately approached the police.Police said the investigation is continuing and further action will follow as the identities and individual roles of the accused are established.
