Even after the arrest of 16 charged with criminal act including minors and adults in a gangrape case in Meghalaya, the survivor is still being victimised. The 18-year-old was forced to shift towns to escape harassment and is now being refused admission by new schools.
Ill-treated by people in her hometown Williamnagar following the incident, the victim relocated to Tura in the state’s Western Garo Hills to avoid act of shame and pursue studies but only to be refused admission by at least one school there.
To move ahead...
The victim, a 16-year-old student of class IX, has now been kept at an unspecified location by the authorities to protect her from public fiercely behaviour. Her parents have been intentionally threatened by some people to withdraw the case.
Seventeen people, including eight juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the case. Two of the charged with criminal act are relatives of a minister and a surrendered militant leader and that the incident of gang rape took place in December last when the girl was returning home along with a friend from a festival in Williamnagar.
According to Western Garo Hills deputy commissioner Prabin Bakshi, they are not aware of the charge of admission by the school to the girl. Nevertheless, commendable action will be taken against the school if it is found guilty.
Social organisations in the state have expressed concern over the threat to the girl’s life while Bakshi claimed she was in ‘safe hands’ and that She is safe. She is in a hostel and is being looked after by Meghalaya State Women Commission. They are now in the process of finding a school for her, he added.
Asked about the charged threats to the parents, Bakshi said, They have come to know about the charged threats. Nevertheless, they are yet to receive any formal complaint. He also said that the Trial in the case is going on a very fast pace and all efforts are being made to ensure that it goes on in a free and fair manner.
A women’s group has criticized harshly the authorities for declared to be protecting a minister.
As a concluding fact, Agnes Kharshing, president of Civil Society Women Organisation said that such crimes will continue as the people involved are very influential. Even though, the policemen are public servants. But in this case, they are protecting a minister.
So, where is justice then?
Nothing can abolish crime if criminals gain support and purposefully excused from legal authorities due to their power of influence, even though another genuine fact remain is for the sake of money or death warning if not committed.
It's a shame for the nation to see this kind of incident happening where a victim (a girl) who needs maximum care and support during her bad time is being treated like an animal.
Whoever they may be Justice is a must!
(AW:Samrat Biswas)
