SHILLONG, Nov 20: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of a case involving a victim of domestic violence from Meghalaya and assured necessary actions. The victim, who hails from West Jaintia Hills, is admitted at the Shillong Civil Hospital with third-degree burns.
The police on Tuesday arrested her husband, Dahun Dkhar, from Latyrke village in East Jaintia Hills. He had allegedly set the victim on fire at his residence in Niriang village under Thadlaskein Block.
A team of NCW and Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) visited the hospital on Wednesday to enquire about her health.
NCW member Delina Khongdup held a meeting with the hospital’s Medical Superintendent and doctors. MSCW chairperson Iamonlang Syiem and others were also present. “The victim has been suffering for a long time. I learned about it after interacting with her mother. She (victim) kept quiet all these years for reasons best known to her,” Khongdup said.
She said the victim and every woman facing domestic violence should raise their voice, if not before the police, before the village council.
“I know they have their personal life and opinions but I would like to encourage every woman, who faces violence, to come forward and raise their voice,” the NCW member categorically stated.
Assuring that the NCW will ensure the accused does not get bail, Khongdup said he commission will ask the police to file the charge sheet as soon as possible, and slap such sections of law which will deter anyone from committing such crimes.
According to her, stigmatisation is the main reason why women still do not come forward to report cases of domestic violence. In this regard, she made a clarion call for more awareness programmes.
Khongdup said the NCW will coordinate with the MSCW for the protection of child rights to ensure the well-being and safety of children.
Meanwhile, Dr C Wanniang, a surgeon who is treating the victim, said the patient is responding to medications. “She was admitted to the hospital yesterday (November 19) for the second time. She suffered third-degree burns,” the surgeon said, adding, “She was brought to the hospital for the first time on October 7 by her husband. She told us she fell on a fireplace and we didn’t suspect any foul play.”
Dr Wanniang said the patient wanted to leave the hospital on November 1 and refused any medical treatment. He said this made the hospital authorities inform the police. He said they believed the police would pursue the case.
According to a letter submitted to the West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police on November 18, the incident took place on September 29, 2024, around 3 pm when the victim was in her kitchen. The letter stated that her husband had assaulted her with an iron blowpipe, leaving her unconscious and when she regained consciousness, she was in excruciating pain as her face and body were burned.
