SILCHAR, Oct 1 - Sensation prevailed at the Assam University here on Thursday over an alleged case of molestation. According to university sources, Raja Singh, a peon working in the Department of Visual Arts of Assam University, Silchar, has been accused of molesting a student of the Department of Visual Arts.
Students of the department reportedly thrashed Singh after the incident. The accused was locked inside a room in the department for a long time as the students demanded action against him. �Singh lures many students with the promise of getting their back papers cleared. He asked some female students to visit some hotels for this purpose,� the irate students complained.
Singh, who is a resident of Dargakona on the outskirts of the university, was later rescued by the police and taken to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment. The Registrar of the university, along with teachers and faculty members from other departments, also rushed to the spot to pacify the situation.
The university sources said that the peon was suspended after the filing of an FIR against him. He was sent to jail after appearing in the court on Friday.
Meanwhile, Debashish Chakraborty, Deputy Registrar and president of Assam University Non-teaching Employees� Association (AUNTEA), alleged that the administration at the university has totally collapsed. �Without any complaint, the employee was badly beaten up and the university authorities failed to check the violence. This is disappointing,� Chakraborty said.
Sudip Chakraborty, secretary of AUNTEA, said that AUNTEA members would not cooperate with the Department of Visual Arts and no non-teaching staff would be allotted for the affairs of the department henceforth. This decision was taken after a meeting of the AUNTEA members with the varsity administration on Friday. �We demand the immediate release of Raja Singh and also adequate medical compensation to him. Also, we want punishment of those responsible for the physical assault on our member,� Chakraborty maintained.
On the other hand, Prof Dilip Chandra Nath, Vice Chancellor of the varsity, has ordered a twin probe into the incident and sought the report at the earliest. �I have ordered an inquiry on the alleged sexual harassment incident and another to find the truth about the entire incident following which action will be taken,� Prof Nath added.
Refuting the allegations made by the non-teaching association, the Vice Chancellor said that it is due to sound administration that the varsity results are being declared within a short span of time after examinations. The varsity elections, too, have been held without any untoward incident, he added.
