Assault of 12 girls in Tura
SHILLONG: Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak informed the State Assembly on Wednesday said that Government would wait for the magisterial inquiry report into the assault of 12 girls by the pressure groups in Tura before taking a decision on the demand for a high-level probe.
Earlier, moving a call attention motion, Clifford Marak (GNC) said that there was a need to institute a judicial probe headed by either a sitting Judge or a retired Judge of the High Court of Meghalaya into the case.
In reply, the Minister said that the magisterial probe into the assault case would be completed soon and the demand for a high-level probe would be examined only after getting the magisterial probe report.
Earlier, the Minister said that the media had reported on May 10 that five self-styled women activists including a CSWO leader based in Tura were arrested by Tura Police on May 9 for allegedly torturing 12 young girls including a six-month pregnant woman who were forcibly kept in their custody for eight long days.
On May 9, Tura District Child Protection Unit officials conducted inquiry and submitted the report to the Deputy Commissioner. They also visited Tura police station.
“It was informed that the 12 girls who were being kept at the residence of one of the NGOs were rescued and brought to Tura police station on May 8 at around 9:30 pm by the people of Daldagre”, Marak said. According to the Minister, after the interaction with all the girls, it was known that all the girls were brutally assaulted by some members of the NGOs.
Consequently, five members of NGOs (AMA,CSWO and Sentinel of Human Rights), were arrested on May 9 and they were charged with various sections of criminal law.
“At present, five women activists are still under the judicial custody and investigation is going on,” Marak said, adding that the Deputy Commissioner, Tura had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter on May 10 which is headed by Sibhi C.Sadhu, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dadenggre.
“The Social Welfare department has decided to wait for the report of the magisterial inquiry being done by the District Administration, before taking further steps. The Meghalaya State Women’s Commission is also conducting its own inquiry”, she said.
The Minister said that the victims were given counselling and medical care during their stay in the shelter homes.
She said that after the family members of the girls wanted to take the girls out in connection with admission to institutions for higher studies by June 5, all the girls had been released from the Government Home (Girls).
“However, the Government will continue to take steps to facilitate health care, education and other welfare activities for the affected victims if required”, she added.