[Reader-list] Rape Cases in WB

[A. Mani]

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Bengal Witnesses One More Rape Case



Muralidharan



THE National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) has
condemned the rape of a hearing and speech impaired girl in North
Dinajpur district of West Bengal.



According to the information given by the NPRD, the victim, a national
level para athlete who has won several medals including at the
National Championship in 2006, was on her way back from Raiganj to her
house in Hemtabad on June 23 in a shared auto-rickshaw.  Taking
advantage of the fact that the girl was hearing and speech impaired,
the auto-driver took the girl to his house where he committed the
crime. Medical tests on the girl confirmed rape and the rapist has
been arrested and is in police custody.



As recently as in April, a team from the National Commission for Women
which visited the state, had indicted the state government over its
inept handling of rape cases. Concerning the Bankura case where a
hearing impaired girl was raped within the hospital premises, the
commission had observed that "The case is extremely distressing
considering that the victim is a person of special needs and she was
under the care of a doctor, who not only is alleged to have committed
the crime but also breached the trust of the patient. The commission
notes with dismay that the young SP who took prompt action in the
matter and ensured timely enquiry was transferred."



It has also come to light that the rapist owes allegiance to the
Trinamul Congress, whose chief and West Bengal chief minister, Ms
Mamata Banerjee, had in the wake a spate of incidents of rape in West
Bengal questioned the character and antecedents of the women concerned
and then alleged that the opposition was fabricating stories to defame
her government.



Quoting from an analysis made by an NGO network, Maitree, of the
recent cases of rape in the state, the commission noted that 17 per
cent of victims were mentally or physically disabled. The commission
had also made a host of recommendations, which the state is yet to
comply with.



The NPRD convener and secretary of the Paschim Banga Rajya Pratibandhi
Sammilani, Kanti Ganguli met the victim and assured all assistance of
the Sammilani to ensure that the culprit is punished. Help has also
been offered for her rehabilitation.



On June 27, the Sammelani, an affiliate of the NPRD, organised a
protest action in front of office of the superintendent of police,
North Dinajpur. A delegation also met the state commissioner for
disabilities in Kolkata the same day. A protest action was organised
in Kolkata the next day, subsequent to which a memorandum was be
submitted to the governor. The Sammelini has also given a call for
bigger protest mobilisation in Kolkata on July 6.

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A. Mani



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