SHILLONG: The CSWO has demanded a speedy, fair and just investigation into the torture of 12 girls in Tura.
In a statement issued to the media, the CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing while condemning the torture on the girls said that the probe besides inquiring into the alleged illegal detention and torture of girls at Tura should also look into the role of the Police and the ‘rescuers’.
As per reports, one of the activists was attacked by the rescuers and the administration even gave her protection on May 8.
An FIR was also filed, which makes it compulsory for the police to question the ‘rescuers’ as the FIR needs to be registered.
“We wonder why the District Child Protection Officers, went to meet the girls, at the house of the activist, when the authorities knew nothing about the ‘illegal detention’ and if they knew, then why did they not guide the activists about the procedures, or why no action was taken against the NGOs if they refused to comply?”, Kharshiing said.
“There seems to be a clear case of intentional misleading by authorities, for reasons best known to them. Had the NGOs been advised, and proper action taken instantly, then there would be no illegal detention or torture, and the girls would not have had to suffer such severe bruises in their bodies”, she said.
Kharshiing said that the girls had to face humiliation in the hands of the police, as they were allowed to be stripped and photographed in the Tura Police Station, act of which is the outrage of modesty of a woman amounting to crime against women by the Police.
“There should be no interference from any quarters so that the report is just and people who actually tortured the girls are booked as per law. All persons in authority, who allowed the illegal detention, which led to the torture, should be investigated into”, she said.
Khashiing also wanted to know as to why the District Child Protection Officers kept quiet when they knew the girls were being detained illegally and tortured, and why they did not submit a report to the DC immediately, when it was a very serious case.
“Why reports that come out in the media are not acted upon by the Administration and the Police promptly, which would prevent girls being lured and trafficked into the sex trade”, she said.
Whatever be the report, the CSWO demanded that there should be no delay in the investigation or inquiry. The CSWO has also decided to approach the Women’s Commission on the alleged role of the Police who allowed the victim girls to be stripped and photographed inside the Police Station, that too in front of one another, which has highly degraded the modesty of a woman, by the Police who should have been considerate to the victims, and should have respected the dignity of a human person and respected the rule of law.
According to reports, there are 13 girls who faced torture and the CSWO wanted to know where was the 13th girl as only 12 were produced in the police station.
Condemnation
Another CSWO leader Irene Hujon has also condemned the brutal assault incident at Tura where 12 girls were confined and tortured by a group of women claiming to be so called reformers of society. The CSWO has sought a thorough inquiry into the incident and demanded stern action against all those responsible for such shameless acts of torture.
Hujon also clarified that the person called Janie Ningring N Sangma is not a member of the CSWO as CSWO has not formed any unit at Tura. “Further, the organization will not be held responsible for any acts perpetrated by any person/persons claiming themselves to be leaders of the CSWO”, Hujon added.
