SHILLONG: The Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment on Wednesday summoned DGP, N Chandranathan, and West Garo Hills SP, Raghavendra Kumar MG, and inquired about the status report pertaining to the Phulbari gang-rape case.
The Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment chairperson, Ampareen Lyngdoh, after the meeting, informed that both the senior police officials satisfactorily briefed about the status of the case.
“As per the report submitted to the committee, it is learnt that two culprits are in police custody and necessary inquiries are going on. One of the accused is still absconding. We were a little disturbed to hear this,” Ampareen stated.
According to her, the police, however, defended the reason for the delay in the arrest of the third culprit.
The committee has asked state police to ensure that the chargesheeting and completion of the inquiry be done at the earliest.
It may be mentioned that a minor was raped by three individuals at Phulbari last month.
With regard to the rape of a 30-year-old differently-abled woman in Ri Bhoi, Ampareen alleged that the victim, her mother and an ASHA worker are being threatened.
“We feel that this case should be immediately attended to by the police because if this lady does not go back to her village with her mother, then the entire procedure of childbirth would become a big problem to the family. We were disturb since there are three women who are oppressed including the rape victim, mother of the victim and the ASHA,” Lyngdoh said.
It may be mentioned that some people had also vandalised the house of the victim and no arrest has been made till date by the police.
The committee also took strong note that Adrina Ranee, who had allegedly threatened the ASHA worker on June 22, has not been arrested despite an FIR being filed.