Author: Statesman News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: November 19, 2008
Some members of a local club backed by CPI-M
workers allegedly molested a santhal woman and later cut her hair off Burdwan
town today.
On receiving complaints, cops brought the
woman to the police station and deputed a barber to shape up her hair allegedly
with an intention to cover up the issue. The accused Marxist cadres are roaming
scot-free though an FIR was lodged 72 hours earlier.
Members of the CPI-M affiliated 'Ekadosh Club'
at Rayan village suddenly raided the house of Mr Ashoke Mandi, an agricultural
labourer, on 15 November evening. They dragged out 26-year-old Mrs Aloka Mandi,
Mr Mandi's wife, and Mr Abhoy Chowdhury, a youth from Mr Mandi's thatched
house. Mr Chowdhury reportedly had gone to help the tribal couple harvest
his farmland. The club members alleged that the woman was caught in a compromising
position with the youth.
They took the duo inside the club. Mrs Mandi
later alleged that the club members had molested her and used abusive language.
Her husband had gone to the town when the incident took place. They allegedly
beat them up and cut her hair. She alleged that some of the club members had
been passing lewd comments for the past few months. The local panchayat pradhan
was informed of the matter by her husband. She alleged at the police station
that she was asked to put her signature on a blank paper. A barber was engaged
to cut her hair properly.
Mr Satyanarayan Malik, CPI-M leader and pradhan
of the local Rayan GP came to the rescue of the tribal woman with a few of
his associates. He called up the police seeking action against the offending
youths. Mr Malik said: "A few of the club members have become arrogant
and this time their offence reached the extreme. I am surprised to note that
even though the complaint was lodged, the police remained indifferent."
He added: "I have told my seniors in the party that we won't be protecting
the offenders."
The tribal family took up the matter with
the State Human Rights Commission yesterday. The family has also appealed
to the DM and SP, Burdwan seeking justice. The SP, Burdwan, Mr Raja Rajashekharan,
said: "The matter would be looked into with serious concern. I have asked
the IC, Burdwan PS to hold an inquiry and table a report at the earliest."
Incidentally, the officers of the Burdwan PS themselves are accused of negligence.
