Editor,
Apropos the news item stated above, which appeared in your esteemed daily (ST March 21, 20 13) I have the following clarification to make.
The Meghalaya State Commission for Women had been closely monitoring the case of the Williamnagar Gangrape even as the District Administration had done their duty in arresting the 16 (sixteen) accused, charge-sheeting and remanding them to judicial custody in the juvenile home. It may be mentioned, that the District Administration has provided interim relief etc to the victim. The Commission had also offered to rehabilitate the victim but the family assured that she would be relocated elsewhere and admitted in an educational institution to avoid any unpleasantness and repercussions. The victim would be better off with the family while in a very vulnerable state.
However, when the victim first ventured out to the market to buy books sometime in the early part of February, the members of the accused family taunted and ranted at her while one sister took photographs of her with her cell phone. The family was advised to file an FIR against them but the victim’s mother let them off with a warning.
Taking serious note of the development, Member of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women Ms GMT. Marak, co-ordinated with the District Social Welfare Officer, NGOs and private Shelter Home to relocate the girl and find a school for her. Subsequently two schools which were closer to a Shelter home, were approached. The first school refused admission due to non-availability of seat while the second school complied with our request. However, the school later denied admission for fear of complication if the identity of the victim is leaked out. Immediately, the Commission Member stationed in Tura, Ms Angela Ingty and the Social Welfare Officer have been looking for alternative arrangements relentlessly but were unsuccessful. The Meghalaya State Commission for Women will follow up the case and will ensure that this particular victim will not be further victimised.
Yours etc.,
Jyichi Timre R Marak
Member,
Meghalaya State Commission for Women
Clarification on report of Williamnagar gang-rape victim
Editor,
With reference to the subject cited above and especially the line “The ordeal of the Williamnagar gang-rape victim doesn’t seem to end with the school authorities refusing to admit her in schools in Williamnagar…”, I would like to present the following information: After reading the report in your esteemed newspaper I deputed one of our magistrate Ms L. Daring, M.C.S., E.A.C., Williamnagar to visit the house of the rape victim and inquire into the matter. I also instructed the magistrate to take action against the school which refused admission. After visiting the house of the victim, the magistrate reported that the entire family of the victim had shifted permanently to Tura some time ago and are presently residing there with the help of the NGOs from Williamnagar, in liaison with the Social Welfare Department in Tura. The magistrate also reported that she spoke to the mother of the victim over phone. Therefore, I request you correct the information for the benefit of the public and also the image of schools in Williamnagar.
Yours etc.,
Vijay Mantri, IAS
DC, East Garo Hills
Ban on charcoal?
Editor
The state government through the Forest & Environment department had already notified to the general public that the government has banned the traditional production of charcoal from any private/community/village forest since Nov 5, 2008. As per the notification, charcoal can be produced only from the branches of trees of those forests registered with the Department. The same notification again appeared in the local Khasi daily (Mawphor) dated 19 March, 2013. Concerning the alarming state of our environment, I appreciate the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Khasi Hills (T) Division, Shillong for bringing out such vital notification. Unfortunately, the notification which is supposed to reach the ears of the public in general and charcoal traders in particular has not hit the bull’s eye. Besides charcoal production being declared illegal, we still see rampant trading of charcoal in our state especially in West Khasi Hills. What I want to mention here is that the charcoal practitioners are not aware of the notification since 99% of them have no time or access to newspapers. I strongly urge the Forest & Conservation Department to reach to the last people in the village through some sort of awareness programs. As a stop gap arrangement, awareness programs in the form of posters/placards be hung in every nook and corner in market places/bus stations/ walls etc instead of the irritating Airtel/Aircel/Vodafone advertisement there.
Yours etc.,
Fullmoon Lyngdoh
Langtor (via) Mairang