Massive reactions across Assam after the Congress party on Wednesday used a minor girl during its protest in Lakhimpur against rising fuel prices. The minor girl, aged around 7-8 years, was made to sit on a dry betel-nut leaf (known as ‘dhokua’ in local parlance) which was then pulled by Congress workers during the protests that were carried out amid very hot and humid weather conditions.
Amid the furore, Lakhimpur Police have registered a suo-moto case against the Congress activists involved in the incident under the Juvenile Justice Act.
#FLASH : #Assam #Congress party faces flak for using a small girl in a protest against fuel price hike at #Lakhimpur yesterday. #Lakhimpur Police registers suo motto case, #Congress in damage-control mode
In Pic: Minor who was used in the protest by #Lakhimpur #Congress pic.twitter.com/0D5XrtwPye
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 7, 2018
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Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia also reacted to the incident, claiming that police are pursuing the matter after registering the suo-moto case.
The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also taken suo-moto cognizance of the incident, and has asked police to take immediate action against those involved in the incident under the Juvenile Justice Act.
#JustIn | #CongressUsesMinorInProtest : #Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights takes suo-moto cognizance of Lakhmpur incident, asks police to take immediate action against those involved in the incident under Juvenile Justice Act. pic.twitter.com/piMHt1O2f1
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 7, 2018
Meanwhile, the Congress leadership apologised for the incident but termed it unintentional. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, incidentally, has also announced a probe into the incident.
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