SIVASAGAR, July 21 � The magisterial committee formed to investigate the molestation of a teenage girl on July 13 allegedly by Army jawans at Demow in Sivasagar district began public hearings today, reports PTI.
District magistrate Purabi Gogoi entrusted with the investigation met locals at Nitaipukhuri in Demow where the incident took place, official sources said.
Meanwhile, agitationists in the district have demanded removal of deputy commissioner Jatindra Lahkar from Sivasagar for his alleged failure to act against the jawans.
A total of 22 outfits, including the influential All Assam Students� Union, Takam Mising Porin Kebang, All Tai Ahom Students� Union, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad, have launched an agitation demanding punishment to the jawans.
Yesterday, they had organised a gherao of the DC�s office and smashed barricades.
The agitators want the case to be handled by civil authorities and for the jawans to be arrested by police.
Unhappy NCP not to sever ties with Cong
Mumbai, July 21 � NCP today said it would remain a partner in the ruling UPA coalition but flagged displeasure over its views not being considered in the government and �lack of coordination� with the Congress both at the Centre and in Maharashtra where they share power, reports PTI.
The Sharad Pawar-led party, which had decided to pull out of the UPA government in protest against the way the party was being treated by Congress, said the functioning of the government has not been according to their expectation. �We are in UPA and will continue to be a part of it in the future as an ally. Central government gets our support every time and will continue to get it in future,� senior NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters at the airport here on his arrival from Delhi with the NCP supremo.
Patel said NCP was of the view that a progressive and secular government should stay but lamented that his party�s views were �not considered�. �The functioning of the government has not been according to our expectation. Our views are not considered,� he said.
