TURA: The silent protest rally by Bakdil, Childline in Tura against increasing crimes against children all over the country and the state including, the brutal rape and murder of eight year old Asifa from Jammu and Kashmir, which was to take place on Thursday was postponed at the last minute in view of bad weather conditions.
Weather played spoilsport as heavy showers continued to lash Tura Town and its adjoining areas, a half hour before the rally was to take place at 10:30 am, posing problems for organizers in terms of low turnout.
Earlier, Bakdil Childline had planned to involve school students in the rally, but a recent order issued by the deputy commissioner had prohibited the involvement of students in such rallies. Although, permission was given by the deputy commissioner to hold the rally, it was informed that the same was not collected as the decision had already been taken to postpone the rally.
The Mothers’ Union in Tura too on Wednesday evening, had announced that it would hold a similar rally over the issue on Wednesday next week and the two NGOs have decided to come together on the day and hold the rally jointly.
According to the Secretary of the Mothers’ Union, Sume C B Sangma, a meeting will be held at Chandmary Playground at 9:30 am, from where they will proceed to the deputy commissioner’s office and hand over a memorandum on the issue.
Speaking on the contents of the memorandum, Sangma said that one of its demands was the up-gradation of the Tura Women’s Police Station. Sangma also said that there was a need to create awareness among the people especially, the rural masses about the consequences of such crimes and added that the union would urge the DC to look into the matter.
“Awareness programmes on laws pertaining to rape and their consequences need to be organized by each and every department in all districts. Such a step, if taken can curve the menace of rape crimes as it will deter many would be sexual predators for fear of the consequences,” Sangma said.
With regard to the rally to be held next week, Sangma urged all participants especially the students to bring along with them bottled drinking water and umbrellas.