HVK Archives: Dalit, tribal women worst victims of Laloo's regime
Dalit, tribal women worst victims of Laloo's regime - The Observer of Business & Politics
Sudhir Kumar Mishra
()
2 Apr 1997
Title : Dalit, tribal women worst victims of Laloo's regime
Author : Sudhir Kumar Mishra
Publication : The Observer of Business & Politics
Date : Apr 2, 1997
THE Bihar Chief Minister might claim himself the messaiah of poor
dalits and minorities, but his administration has failed to protect
their life, property and even the honour of their women. The dalit
women, in particular, have been the worst victims during the Laloo
regime.
Bihar has again witnessed gory incidents of armed clashes during
the last 36 hours. At least 9 persons were killed in these clashes
and two houses were also gutted. All the victims belonged to daht,
tribal and minority communities.
The private army of the landlords, Ranbir Sena, attacked Ankopur
village under Arwal police station (Jehanabad district) on Friday
night and dragged away 4 persons. Their dead bodies were soon
found in an open field, some 300 m away from the village. The
victims have been identified as Sukhdeo Mochi (20), Sohrai Mochi
(50), and Tatar Mochi (24). The fourth victim is yet to be
identified.
According to the director general of police, one Parshuram Sharma
had tried to rape a dalit woman of this village about 3-4 days ago.
A few more antisocial elements were also accompanying him.
However, when the women raised an alarm, her relatives managed to
chase away the criminals with the help of other villagers.
Ankopur village is said to be dominated by the supporters of the
ultra-leftist party CPI-ML. In view of this incident, Sukhdeo
Mochi had announced to hold a 'Jan Adalat' (public court) on
Saturday for the trial of the accused persons. Consequently, the
rapists joined hands with the Ranbir Sena to teach them an
appropriate lesson. Although, 21 persons have been named in the
FIR lodged in this case, only 5 of them have so far been arrested.
Again in the midnight of March 28-29, about 500 armed extremists of
outlawed ultra-leftist outfit MCC surrounded a village under
Chandwa PS in Palamu district. After locking all the villagers in
their houses, they dragged out 5 among them and ruthlessly killed
them with lethal weapons. Two houses were also burnt by them.
The slain persons have been identified as Anwar Khan (22), Ratia
Oraonsse (24), Rafique Tailor (35), Md Rajjak (35) and Mustaq Roy
(60). These persons are said to be the activists of another
militant organisation 'Jan Sangharsh Mukti Morcha.' No arrest has
so far been reported in this case.
However, it is not the dalit Ranbir Sena only that often victimises
the dalits and particularly their women folk. During the last 15
days, several women belonging to scheduled castes are said to have
been raped by goons of Janata Dal.
While returning from Patna, about 15 men led by Gonga Yadav
attacked the house of a dalit youth Manoj Manjhi in Neema village
(Gaya district) because he had refused to participate in the Garib
Raila. After tying him from the bed, they raped his wife Savitri
Devi (20) and two sisters Bajo Devi (17) and Sajva Devi in front of
his eyes for several hours. According to an investigation report
of the State BJP, every women was raped by atleast 5-6 persons.
The entire family has now fled from the village. Though, some
arrests have been made in this connection, the victims are to be
provided adequate security or any other kind of relief from the
Government. Manoj's mother was also raped by the landlords three
years ago. However, she was compelled to withdraw her FIR due to
pressures from various corners. This time again they are being
terrorised by Gonga's younger brother Munnua Yadav.
In Muzzaffarpur district, a harijan woman named Sita Devi was
molested by a group of JD workers. When she resisted them, they
badly thrashed her. Her husband's elder brother too was not spared
when he rushed for her help. Later her mother-in-law was forced to
parade naked in the village. Again, an 18 year. old girl Rati Devi
was raped by three loyalists of JD in Sarari village (Patna
district) a few days ago. Initially, the police made every attempt
to hush up her case.
In Jehanabad district, a 10 year old girl was raped by Pramod
Yadav. The girl had gone to the fields to collect woods.
In Samastipur district, Mister Mian and Laddu Mian dragged out
Dhaneshwari Devi from her house. After shaving off her hair, they
made her parade in the village in a semi-naked state. In
Daltengunj, a 14 year old girl was raped by four youths in a Maruti
van. She had come to this place to participate in a marriage
ceremony.
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Sidhan Sabha Sushil Kumar Modi
said that this Government had no right to stay even for a single
minute. Nearly 7,000 dalit women have been raped in the State
during the last seven years.
Apart from this, women police stations need to be set up in all the
districts. Rape cases and cases of other atrocities on women
should be tried by female Magistrates/Judges, he added.
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