Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, May 20: One after another, reports of sexploitation by officers of police and civil administration are pouring in in Jammu; but the response of the government has lacked urgency as it comes out of slumber, only when such incidents are reported by media.
Recent cases of SHO Khour Police Station, who has been accused of raping a newly married girl, and a Patwari accused of making sexual advances on a helpless woman have shaken the conscience of the civil society.
Though in both the cases, the accused have been placed under suspension, the government seems to have taken these horrific incidents non-seriously that too when crime against women has been on rise across the country.
The newly married woman, who was allegedly raped by the SHO at his official residence, has threatened that she would end her life if the "culprit" was not given exemplary punishment. But at the same time, the SHO, who is presently behind the bars, enjoys VIP treatment.
The poor victim, who is already under trauma for months, found no options but to give an ultimatum to the government that investigations into the case be expedited, and the accused to treated, much the way a criminal needs to be dealt with in a civilized society.
While in this case, the victim finds no options but to knock the media doors with a hope for justice, the plight of other victims looks no different.
Taking note of sexual advances made by a Patwari, Jagdish Kumar against a Reasi woman in Pouni tehsil who had gone to him to get her land regularized, the District Commissioner Reasi, has issued orders of his suspension, But the district administration woke up to the matter only when Early Times reported the misdeeds of the accused.
Till then, despite complaints, and telephone recording of conversation between Patwari and the victim, no action was taken against the erring government official.
In all such incidents, eyebrows are also raised over the role of Womens' Commission headed by PDP leader Nayeema Mehjoor. "The women commission should have been proactive, on the issues, but here the victims have to fend for themselves as the women rights commission in inactive," said an observer keeping track of such cases.
The complaints of the alleged non-seriousness of the government towards such cases in Jammu province are coming up at a time when the first woman Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti wants such crimes be crushed with iron hands.
Just recently, the Chief Minister ordered establishment of dedicated cells in various government and non-government offices to keep check on any cases of harassment of working women and that the same be seriously looked into. |
