GUWAHATI, Dec 29 � Along with the rest of the country, people of Guwahati, cutting across ideological differences came onto the streets to mourn the death of the Delhi rape victim at a Singapore-based hospital this morning.
Processions and candlelight marches were also taken out by a number of organizations and people in general demanding fast-track justice for the victim and enactment of stringent laws for perpetrators of such heinous crimes.
Immediately after the news of the rape victim�s death was aired, people young and old alike, started gathering in the streets to register their condolences and protest at the same time.
Those who took out processions include organizations like Sadou Asom Pragatishil Nari Santha, Nikhil Bharat Ganatantrik Mahila Samity, Assam Provincial Bank Employees Association (Women Cell), Students� Federation of India.
Several other organizations including Asom Lekhika Sangsta, Nari Mukti Sangram Samity, Brihattar Noonmati Nari Niryatan Birodi Aikyo Mancha, Sadou Asom Jana Sanskritik Parishad and Sachetan Nagarik Mancha also took part in the procession.
The Asam Sahitya Sabha and the All Assam Students� Union also condoled the death of the rape victim and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits.
The newly-floated Aam Admi Party and the National Students� Union of India took out a candlelight procession expressing grief at the rape victim�s death and demanding zero tolerance for such crimes.
�Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code should be amended so that stringent punishment could be given to the rapists. This should be done by convening a special session of the Parliament,� demanded the Sadou Asom Pragatishil Nari Santha, adding that no culprit, irrespective of his status, should be allowed to escape after committing such a dreadful crime.
The Assam Senior Citizens� Association, in a statement, urged the Government to initiate action for enactment of law invoking death penalty for all cases of rape in the country.
Rupamoni Devi, a resident of Uzanbazar area, who joined the procession with her four-month-old baby, said, �It is a national shame and if this does not wake up the authorities, what else will? I feel for the girl and the culprits should be given fitting punishment.�
