Issue of gang rapes is snowballing into a major political matter in Tripura as Opposition party activists continue to hold protest programmes and blaming the ruling BJP for its alleged failure in curbing the crime against women in the State.
In recent past, two gang rapes of minor girls – one at Kumarghat and the other one in Kalyanpur area – sparked protests by both the CPIM and Congress. Even as Police arrested some of the accused persons, political parties and people are blaming Police for allegedly ‘shielding’ some of the accused.
In protest, Left-wing students’ organizations and women’s Front at Agartala and Nagarik Manch at Kumarghat hit the streets condemning the minor girl rape incidents at Kumarghat and Kailashahar on Thursday.
Besides, common people blocked the Khowai-Teliamura road demanding arrest of the remaining culprits – 2 accused were arrested out of four accused – and exemplary punishment. The agitating people turned hostile and ransacked shops. However, Police brought the situation under control.
Earlier, Congress and CPIM party activists held separate rallies and demanded immediate arrests of all the accused and stern actions against the culprits.
Left student wings SFI-TSU, staged a protest in front of Police Headquarters at Agartala today followed by protests organized by activists of All India Democratic Women’s Association.
Opposition parties scale up political pressure on the ruling BJP over the two gang rape incidents at Kumarghat and Kailasahar in the month of October. In the Kumarghat rape incident, allegations were raised against the son of Labour Minister Bhagaban Das – though the name of his son was not mentioned in the FIR.
In another development, a six-member delegation of the NagarikManch of Kumarghat blamed the Police for shielding the culprits involved in the rape of a minor girl on October 19 last.
Manch members met SP of Unakoti, Kanta Jahangir over a deputation and demanded arrests of all the culprits involved in the crime. According to the local sources, the SP assured the Nagarik Manch members that culprits, without considering their identity, would be arrested.
With the report of kidnapping and raping another minor in Kailashahar, resentment among people is boiling. However, in a prompt action, police arrested the accused after a complaint was lodged.