Manipur: BSF Jawan Suspended For Abusing Woman At Grocery Store, Says Report

The video, which was widely shared on social media, prompted the BSF to take immediate action after receiving a complaint from Imphal West district on July 20.

The Border Security Force (BSF) took prompt action on Tuesday, suspending a jawan accused of molesting a local woman at a grocery store in the violence-hit Manipur region. The incident, which allegedly happened last week, was brought to light when CCTV footage showed head constable Satish Prasad allegedly abusing the woman while dressed in his combat uniform and carrying an INSAS rifle, news agency PTI reported citing an official familiar with the matter. 

The video, which was widely shared on social media, prompted the BSF to take immediate action after receiving a complaint from Imphal West district on July 20. The jawan was suspended the same day after a thorough investigation, the report said. 

According to the BSF officer, the head constable belongs to the number 100 battalion of the force, which was deployed to the state as an ad-hoc unit for security duties during the ethnic violence that has plagued the northeastern region. In response to the seriousness of the allegations, a Court of Inquiry proceeding has been initiated against the accused, as per the report. 

"The incident was reported on July 20 in the Imphal West district and after the paramilitary force received a complaint, the allegation was checked and subsequently the trooper was suspended on the same day," the official told PTI. 

"A Court of Inquiry proceeding has been initiated against the head constable who belongs to the number 100 battalion of the force that was sent to the state as an ad-hoc unit for security duties in the wake of the ethnic violence in the northeastern state," he added further. 

The BSF has a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts, and authorities are committed to conducting an impartial and fair investigation to ensure justice is served, the official said.

The alleged incident has occurred amidst a challenging period in Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 3. The "Tribal Solidarity March" in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status has resulted in over 160 deaths and several injuries.