Amitabha Sengupta
UDAIPUR/AMARPUR/KARBOOK, April 26 (TIWN) : In the present era on Woman empowerment Gomati District is a perfect example for the empowerment of the women with the three most crucial posts being held up by three women - DM Gomati Sonal Goel , SP Gomati S Saraswati and Zila Sabhadhipati of Gomati District Suniti Saha . All the three women should have played a significant part in encouraging the women especially the girl children to go for a bright career showing their own examples before them. Unfortunately in their domain, crimes related to violence against woman especially rapes increased at a considerable rate . Indeed , the entire Gomati district seems to have become a nightmare for the women . Almost everyday, increasing incidents of rape, molestation, physical assaults against women in all the subdivisions of the Gomati District . If one goes by police records , Gomati District has practically become the hunting ground for the rapists .Unfortunately in most of the cases it has been found that the culprits are either relatives of political leaders ( ruling party ) or they have been maintaining close relations with influential political leaders . As such police are unable to take proper steps against the culprits , thanks to pressure from political gurus .
It is now almost three years since Sonal Goel(IAS) has assumed the charge of DM Gomati and from 8th February 2016 S Saraswati ( IPS) is at the helm of SP Gomati . Suniti Saha is the Zila Sabhadhipati of Gomati Zila parishad for more than one and year. One would have expected that these three most influential persons would usher in brighter days for the women in the entire district leaving an example to the state .
DM Sonal Goel is busy in promoting " Beti Bachao and Beti Parao " campaign . Even though it looks like DM is doing something good for women but in reality its more of a publicity drive and media campaign via her Facebook Fan Club. Sonal Goel’s goal is bagging more awards to advance her IAS career rather than reducing rampant rapes, violence on women in Gomati District.
SP Gomati S Saraswati is found to lead the police force in right direction as checking vehicle drivers, checking documents and compelling the bikers to wear helmets while driving their bikes . Even at 9.30 pm or 10pm she is found standing in Brahmabari , Ramesh Chowmahani and in other places stopping vehicles and imposing penalties. Following her footprints, Udaipur Woman Police station too has earned a good name for seemingly checking up of documents even at office hours.
Zila SabhadhiPati Suniti Saha is seen on lecturing in various rallies and inaugurating various programmes giving people knowledge of Intolerance and making them aware of irrelevant international chapters like US Imperialism, Cuba pand Israel problems etc .
But the irony of the fate is that girls of the district ( minors and adults ) , housewives are being raped almost every day . In the last two years number of rape incidents increased by leaps and bounds .
Only within a week two minor girls ( one in Amarpur and another in Udaipur ) have been raped .
Places like Kakaraban , MuraPara, Police Line ( Dhwajanagar) , Karbook , Silachari , Chelagung , Malbasa, Maharani , Killa etc have come into the headlines for so many occasions due to rape incidents . Moreover , many women were ruthlessly killed ( burnt to death ) or being compelled to commit suicide failing to tolerate the tortures in their in-laws .
Only in few cases police succeeded to file chargesheet against the culprits but many culprits are still found roaming like heroes.
Brutally a 15 year’s tribal girl was raped at Amarpur,Gomati Dist. The incident occurred on April 20, and the victim has been identified as 15 year old girl, D/O-Dulumay Swaran Kumar Jamatia at Amarpur.
Reportedly, at around 8 pm on April 20 few miscreants including CPI-M’s Village Council Chairperson Mangal Debbarmma’s son named Pilak Debbarma alongwith CPI-M cadre Atanka Debbarma’s son Laxman Debbarma and few others entered the house of Dulumay Swaran Kumar Jamatia when his wife was away in household chores and taking that opportunity they forcefully taken her out of the home whereas her mouth was also taped by force.
Whole night she was missing and it was on April 21st April that her injured, senseless body was found in a jungle.Getting informed by pedestrians she was immediately admitted to local hospital there, but soon she was referred to Gomati District Hospital due to her falling health.In between her parents were warned by the cadres to withdraw the FIR and also offered them bribes at around 2 pm on that very day. However, FIR is still lodged but police is yet to arrest all of them.
However, BJP had visited the hospital and SP has promised that action will be taken as fast as possible.However, Pilak Debbarma is now arrested after BJP pressure.
It’s to be mentioned here that it was in the month of February that the performance of Gomati district was chosen as best in entire north east region under the effort of BBBP(Beti Bachao, Beti Parhao) efforts by district administration.
Rampant spike in rape cases across Gomati District puts a big question mark on efficiency of DM Sonal Goel led Gomati District Administration
The situation is such that parents are really afraid to send their their daughters to schools , colleges and private tutors homes in fear of safety .
Indeed , Gomati District , is now hunting ground for criminals . One can only hope that the three administrators can at least rise up from their sleep and do something concrete to give protection to the women giving up their showpiece actions like lecturing .
It has to ensured that the girls are protected first from the hands of criminals and then only campaign like " Beti Bachao Beti Parao " can be successful ones .