HAILAKANDI, June 11 - Following a spike in crimes against women amid restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Hailakandi has set up a panel of legal aid counsel to respond to women in distress.
In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Chief Judicial Magistrate, District and Sessions Judge cum DLSA chairman D Bhattacharjee said the panel has been constituted in compliance with the standard operational procedure of the Government of Assam to respond to women being subjected to domestic violence, harassment and other forms of abuse.
Bhattacharjee said DLSA secretary K Devi has been designated as the Nodal Officer for Hailakandi district to take up matters relating to domestic and other forms of violence against women.
The Nodal Officer met DC Megh Nidhi Dahal and sought cooperation to reach out to women in distress, and Dahal assured all possible help. Women subjected to harassment, sexual abuse, kidnap, harassment and other issues may dial toll-free helpline 181 for immediate help.
Women in distress can call lawyers Kamrul Islam Chaudhury at 9706765075 attached to Panchgram PS, Fakrul Islam Barbhuiya at 9435232436 attached to Katlicherra PS, Bidhu Prakash Mazumder at 9435220202 attached to Lala PS, Fatima Rahman Mazumder at 9401786452 and 7086335608 attached to Algapur PS, Debobrata Roy at 7086373248 and 91013884989 attached to Ramnathpur PS and Shamima Chaudhury at 9954145395 attached to Hailakandi Sadar PS. Legal services will be provided free of cost to women in distress.
