By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: NCP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, Robert Kharshiing has asked the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma to sack/punish the concerned Government officials, police or politicians involved in filing of the FIR against the NGO leader Agnes Kharshiing who, according to him was only trying to take the parents of a rape victim inside the Secretariat.
In an open letter to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, Robert said that the arrest of his sister has come at a time when the whole country is protesting against rape and other crimes against women.
According to Robert, the rape victim was a poor girl from a rural village of Meghalaya.
Robert said that though his party NCP is supporting the Meghalaya Government, he condemned the incident.
“The Parliament of India has just passed a stringent anti-rape act which enjoins and requires all government
officials to assist rape victims. Instead of facilitating her and helping the grief stricken parents, the police were quite rude and have filed an FIR against her”, Robert alleged.
The NCP leader, who is also the Co-Chairman, All-Party Parliamentarians and Professionals Forum, reminded all male police officers of the State, that the whole country is now very agitated about the way women are being treated in the country.
“Crimes against women have increased dramatically. Those like Agnes Kharshiing who are trying to help rape victims get justice are victimized by the very police officers who are supposed to assist these victimized women”, Robert pointed out.
According to the NCP leader, the recent clearing of a strong Anti-Rape Law with the full backing of leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj, and most political parties, the transfer of an ASP, a senior police officer in UP and the recent suspension of policemen who refused to take prompt action to help a rape victim speaks volumes about how sensitive the nation is on atrocities on women.
“We least expect this type of behavior in a State which is matrilineal. There should be zero tolerance on lack of sensitivity from senior police officers towards women issues”, Robert said, while seeking punishment to the erring police officials.
Robert, who is also the Life Member, Indian Parliamentary Group, Lok Sabha also urged the Chief Justice of India to take a suo moto notice of his letter and issue show cause notice to the Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Police.
He pointed out that Meghalaya is a matrilineal State and if the Government continues with its anti-women attitude, he will consider peaceful Gandhian methods of protesting and will convene a gathering of all MLAs at his residence to consider “changing the anti-woman Government in Meghalaya”.
The NCP leader also sent the copies of the letter to the President of India, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha , Chairperson of the UPA among others .