SHILLONG: The Assembly Committee on Woman Empowerment, on Tuesday, visited Jirang in Ri Bhoi to inquire into the alleged rape of a differently-abled woman earlier this year.
HM Shangpliang, a member of the committee, informed that the victim was six months’ pregnant and that the Health and Social Welfare department has been asked to take care of her so that she gets dignified treatment and a good environment for safe and healthy delivery of the baby.
The committee also took cognizance of the fact that a whistleblower ASHA worker, who played an important role in exposing the alleged rape case, was dismissed from her job. In this regard, the committee has directed the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) to reinstate her by Wednesday and send the copy of the order to the Committee for confirmation.
It may be mentioned that a group of people on June 15 also vandalised the house of the victim but till date no arrest has been made even as the district police have been directed to nab the culprits at the earliest.
The Committee also took strong note that one person, identified as Adrina Ranee, who had allegedly threatened the ASHA worker on June 22, has not been arrested despite the filing of an FIR.
The Committee, therefore, gave the district Superintendent of Police two weeks’ time to complete all the formalities and take action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, the committee also reviewed the crime scenario against children and women in the district.
During the review, it was revealed to the committee that as many as 17 cases under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act were registered in the district during the lockdown.
“We have told the district social welfare officer and police to render all necessary assistance to the victims by way of counselling and necessary action,” Shangpliang said.