Silchar: A mentally challenged woman was reportedly sexually assaulted by two jail warders (also known as a prison officer or correctional officer) of Assam’s Sribhumi district jail on Friday midnight.The two accused have been arrested.Reports said the jail warders — identified as Brajendra Kalita (50) and Hareshwar Kalita (47) — lured the woman into the jail barracks where they allegedly committed the crime. Officials said the woman, who displayed signs of mental instability, was spotted roaming near the prison premises prior to the incident. The incident came to light when fellow officers expressed their concerns, prompting immediate action from the district police who arrested both the jail warders. They are being grilled in the custody of Sribhumi Sadar police station, a senior police officer said. “Between 1:00 and 1:30 am, we received a call from the security staff at the district jail reporting a case of sexual assault. Inspector Debananda Dutta and sub-inspector Rana Deb immediately proceeded to the location. Upon reaching the scene, it was confirmed that two jail officials had sexually assaulted a woman. The night patrolling team, along with other officers, successfully apprehended the accused and brought both them and the woman to the police station,” additional SP (Sribhumi) Pranabjyoti Kalita said. Kalita gave assurance of a comprehensive and unbiased investigation. The woman has undergone medical tests and is presently being cared for at a nearby shelter facility, Kalita said. “This is a shocking betrayal of duty and trust. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty as legal proceeding are being undertaken,” he added. Both the accused hail from Boragaon and Panjabari locality of Guwahati, respectively.Civil rights advocates and community organisations have expressed outrage over the incident and called for severe punishment for the accused.“We, as a women’s rights organisation, strongly condemn the horrific and inhumane act of rape perpetrated against a disabled woman. This heinous crime not only reflects the deep-rooted misogyny and violence prevalent in our society but also exposes the systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable among us. We urge for drastic action against the accused miscreants,” said Purnima Chakraborty, a social activist in Sribhumi.Silchar: A mentally challenged woman was reportedly sexually assaulted by two jail warders (also known as a prison officer or correctional officer) of Assam’s Sribhumi district jail on Friday midnight. The two accused have been arrested.Reports said the jail warders — identified as Brajendra Kalita (50) and Hareshwar Kalita (47) — lured the woman into the jail barracks where they allegedly committed the crime. Officials said the woman, who displayed signs of mental instability, was spotted roaming near the prison premises prior to the incident. The incident came to light when fellow officers expressed their concerns, prompting immediate action from the district police who arrested both the jail warders. They are being grilled in the custody of Sribhumi Sadar police station, a senior police officer said. “Between 1:00 and 1:30 am, we received a call from the security staff at the district jail reporting a case of sexual assault. Inspector Debananda Dutta and sub-inspector Rana Deb immediately proceeded to the location. Upon reaching the scene, it was confirmed that two jail officials had sexually assaulted a woman. The night patrolling team, along with other officers, successfully apprehended the accused and brought both them and the woman to the police station,” additional SP (Sribhumi) Pranabjyoti Kalita said. Kalita gave assurance of a comprehensive and unbiased investigation. The woman has undergone medical tests and is presently being cared for at a nearby shelter facility, Kalita said. “This is a shocking betrayal of duty and trust. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty as legal proceeding are being undertaken,” he added. Both the accused hail from Boragaon and Panjabari locality of Guwahati, respectively.Civil rights advocates and community organisations have expressed outrage over the incident and called for severe punishment for the accused.“We, as a women’s rights organisation, strongly condemn the horrific and inhumane act of rape perpetrated against a disabled woman. This heinous crime not only reflects the deep-rooted misogyny and violence prevalent in our society but also exposes the systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable among us. We urge for drastic action against the accused miscreants,” said Purnima Chakraborty, a social activist in Sribhumi.
