Crime against women goes up in Tripura

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA, March 7: Unrest is brewing in different parts of Tripura over growing number of rape and crime against women as the State witnessed two major protest rallies and demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. Both the demonstrations were to protest against the rape and murder of two minor girls and police iction.

Hundreds of school students and guardians came out to the streets at Jatanbari in South Tripura district to protest against the rape and murder of a tribal girl on Saturday. The girl was kidpped on February 22 while returning home from tuition and her dead body was recovered two days later from a nearby jungle.

The rally organized by different social organizations travelled through all the major streets before meeting the officer in-charge of the local police station and alleged that the police delayed by two days in registering the case due to political interference. However, police denied the allegation and said the accused Sushanta Banik has already been arrested.

Later addressing the rally the leaders of various tribal social organizations said a series of incidents has taken place in the locality during last few months and they are very much concern over the security of the girls.

They submitted a four point charter of demand to the sub-divisiol police officer Anirban Das. Apart from demanding exemplary punishment to the accused and compensation for the victim family it demanded proper security arrangement for the girl’s hostels and action against the teachers who give tuitions till late in the night.

Another incident of demonstration was reported from Teliamura in Khowai district where a 15-year-old school student was raped by one of her neighbour on March 2 and she was recovered in an unconscious State from a jungle on the next day. The BJP Mahila Morcha leaders met the SDPO, Teliamura and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

Increasing concern over growing incident of crime against women also was reported from lkata area of Kumarghat sub-division of Ukoti district where a 32-year-old lady remained missing for last ten days.