By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a shocking revelation in the West Garo Hills rape case reported earlier this week where a 7-year-old minor was raped by her own uncle, new reports have surfaced which state that the accused had also sexually abused the 12-year-old elder sister of the victim during Christmas last year.
As per the reports submitted by the District Child Protection Officer, it was alleged that the accused Nepol M Marak, who is absconding, had also molested the victim’s elder sister three months ago.
Interestingly, it was also alleged that the village headman or the Nokma had then prevailed upon the family to forgive the accused since it was his ‘first mistake’.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi confirmed that the fresh reports have been received and stated that further enquiry will be conducted into the matter to find out whether the allegations leveled against the offender and the Nokma are true or not.
“Two FIRs have been lodged with the police against the offender in this regard and the State women’s commission has been asked to issue a suo moto notice as they are coming to Tura on April 9 for the hearing of the Williamnagar gang-rape case,” Bakshi informed.
The DC also informed that the women’s commission is also being kept informed about the progress of the Williamnagar gang-rape case taken up by the Tura Fast Track Court.
Compensation to victim
The West Garo Hills District Legal Service Authority on Friday granted compensation to the 7-year-old rape victim.
An amount of Rs 50,000 was granted to the victim under the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011 by the District Legal Service Authority in the presence of the District Social Welfare Officer, District Child Protection Officer, members of the Women’s Commission, Mother’s Union and the Garo Hills Sentinel of Human Rights.
Williamnagar gang-rape trial: Four more witnesses examined
Four more witnesses were examined and cross-examined during the second trial in the Williamnagar gang-rape case conducted by the Tura Fast Track Court (FTC) on Friday.
Altogether the statements of nine witnesses have been recorded so far, with five being recorded on Wednesday. The court will further examine 21 other witnesses and the process is expected to be completed by very soon.
“Recording the statements of the witnesses is the most crucial part of the trial,” public prosecutor PL Sebastian said on Friday while adding that four more witnesses have been summoned for the next trial scheduled on April 9.
Two cases of attempted rape reported
Two fresh cases of attempted rape have been reported from Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi respectively.
In the first case, a woman lodged a complaint at Jowai PS that on April 3 at around 5 pm, a juvenile (15) attempted to rape her at Iawpynsin in West Jaintia Hills.
In the other incident, a case was lodged at Umiam PS that on April 2 at around 10 am, one Lumlang Lakhait had attempted to rape a minor girl (13) at her residence at Mawlein Mawkhan, Ri-Bhoi.