Friday, November 30, 2007 (Guwahati) http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070034411&ch=11/30/2007%2011:16:00%20AM
A 16-year-old Adivasi girl made headlines when she was stripped and beaten during Assam protests. Now she just wants to move on leaving behind the incident. Bhagiram Barman was there and he saved the girl giving her cover. Bhagiram said, ''That day at 12:30 am the Adivasi's were pelting stones, breaking cars, police then chased them and there was a clash that excited residents. Suddenly I saw a naked woman running I took my T-shirt and snatched a *duppatta *from someone and wrapped it around her. I told her that I will save her.'' When asked if he felt scared, Bhagiram replied, ''I had no time to feel scared. I did what any human being would do, there were people who were helping the injured. What happened was bad but it happens everywhere because of two bad people the resident here are not responsible.'' The girl had run through the streets of Guwahati till Barman came to her rescue. She is now trying to put that day behind her. But the shocking images have become a rallying point for adivasis in their fight for scheduled tribe status. Celebrated Assamese author and a Jnanpith Awardee in English, Indira Goswami met the girl. ''She was visiting Guwahati and said I loved dance. The way she talked she has prepared herself she not to bow down. There is a saying honour and fame from no condition arise, act well on your part and there's where honour lies.'' Indira said, ''She is a courageous lady she is so bold while speaking she will fight for her people. She will definitely get a better life for her people.'' Very vividly she recalles that 15-20 people followed her, ''I started running, they started taking off my clothes. I then went to houses nearby,but people were so afraid she couldn't get help and then a gentlman gave his shirt tome.'' She is emerging as an icon of strength for the Adivasi community and an inspiration for many more. _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
