CSWO (Irene) castigated for supporting rape accused
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Several prominent women activists have taken a strong exception over the manner that a women’s NGO (CSWO-Irene) is trying to defend an alleged rapist Small Phawa who violated the modesty of a 14-year-old girl.
“How can a women’s NGO which is expected to safeguard and protect the rights of women be protecting a rape accused instead,” they questioned.
Lone woman legislator of the State Ampareen Lyngdoh said it is totally unacceptable that a women’s NGO should be protecting an accused involved in the rape of a minor girl.
“Personally, I am shocked that a women’s NGO which is supposed to fight for the welfare of womankind are instead trying to protect the accused,” Ampareen said while speaking to The Shillong Times here on Wednesday.
Stating that she is unaware of the hidden agenda which prompted the NGO to protect the accused, she however feels that the NGOs who are trying to protect the rape accused should be strongly condemned by all the right-minded citizens for causing mental trauma to a minor girl.
While disagreeing with the arguments given by the accused that it was not rape but consensual sex, the lady legislator said, “You cannot think that a 14-year-old girl would have consented to sex. This is not acceptable”.
She said that everyone is aware that a child of this age would not have the ability to think of having such a relationship.
“I do not think that the accused should be let off scot free because of these poor arguments. He (accused) should be put behind bars for violating the dignity of the minor girl,” Ampareen said.
While strongly criticizing CSWO (Irene) for trying to protect the accused, Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei president Theilin Phanbuh said that this is unprecedented since one expects the women NGO to protect the child who is a minor.
“As far I understand it is illegal to have a physical relationship with a minor girl even if she consents which is what the alleged rapist claims. Personally I do not subscribe to the arguments of the accused that it was consensual sex,” Phanbuh said.
She however urged the authorities to pursue with the investigation of the case and punish the accused who has committed this shameful act.
“How can the CSWO led by Irene Hujon plead that the alleged rapist was involved in consensual sex. Do they not know the legal provisions about what constitutes rape and who is a minor?” an activist queried.
Meanwhile, leading lawyers of the city have also expressed shock at the audacity of the rape accused, Small Phawa, who at a press conference on Tuesday, claimed that he had consensual sex with the 14-year-old girl in Jowai last year.
“A 14-year-old girl is a minor. She is not aware of what is going on and cannot take a decision on her own behalf,” a senior lawyer of the city said to this reporter.
Several elders and individuals from Jaintia Hills have also decried the attempt by Small Phawa to cover up his criminal act by calling it consensual sex.
According to the General Secretary of Iawmusiang Dorbar, Ajoy Lywait, the Shnong has condemned Phawa’s act in the strongest terms. They have also castigated the NGOs who are giving Phawa a clean chit.
“Let the law take its own course,” Lywait said. He informed that the Shnong would hold a meeting to decide further on the matter.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Shillong Times, the general secretary of the minor girl’s clan, DS Dhar, castigated those NGOs who are defending the alleged rapist.
“I personally condemn the NGOs who have come out to defend the wrongdoer. Let the law take its own course. In the next two days the executive committee of the Longkur Dhar will be meeting to take a call on this issue,” Dhar said.