Mariani, Assam, April 5 (HBTV): A female tourist from Nepal visiting Assam was allegedly harassed by a group of seven individuals, including one woman, who allegedly pulled her out of a taxi and tried to remove her shirt to ‘ascertain her gender.’           

The tourist was identified only by her first name Usha. 

In a video that was shared on her Instagram account, Usha alleged that the harassment occurred because she was dressed in apparel that resembled men’s clothing. According to her account in the video, she was forcibly removed from a taxi in Mariani on the evening of April 1.                  

The woman identified one of the alleged harassers being a reporter. Usha also stated that the woman in the group purportedly suggested tearing her shirt to verify her gender.             

The victim reported that she sought assistance from the police to file a complaint. It was alleged that the police ridiculed her. She accused the police of ridiculing her and advising her to seek other legal recourse instead.                  

The Assam police responded to the video in the comments, and assured that a case had been filed and that the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Titabor was in communication with the tourist.  

Meanwhile, Jorhat's superintendent of police spoke to hornbill TV and claimed that the incident unfolded because the alleged harassers suspected the tourist to be one Lina Chophi, a woman who has been missing from Mon district in Nagaland from March 30 and was said to have be seen at Mariani.           

The police official said notices have been issued to the accused persons and a case has been registered under Section 354 and 354(B) of the Indian Penal code.                       

At press time, further investigation was underway.