Ayodhya gang-rape survivor, who went to complain, allegedly beaten up by constables

Crimes against women continue to rise unabated in Uttar Pradesh

sexual-abuse-rape-human-trafficking-domestic-violence-woman-shut Representational image | File

A gang-rape survivor from Ayodhya has alleged that she was beaten up by two women constables when she reached the police station to record her statement. 

On Wednesday, the survivor from Nare village in Ayodhya’s Maharajganj area arrived at the police station to give her statement. “Two women police constables pressured me to change my statement even though I was speaking the truth. They hit me. They kicked me and even used their belts to beat me. I was asked to take off my clothes, but I did not”, said the Dalit woman who was gang-raped on November 16.

Shailendra Kumar Singh, SP (Rural) said, “We had registered a report immediately and arrested the two men named by the survivor. On the complaint of the survivor, two female constables—Neetu and Shikha—have been removed from the Maharajganj police station and placed under suspension. The matter will be investigated by a gazetted officer. We have provided adequate security to the victim. The police will extend all possible help in the matter”.

The alleged rape happened on November 16, at around 1 pm when the survivor had gone to the fields near her home to relieve herself. She alleges that one Vishal crept in on her from behind and grabbed her by the face. When she fell on the ground she noticed another youth Mahendra. The two proceeded to rape her. She then fell unconscious. Upon reaching home after a while, she reported the matter to her family.

The victim’s family has said that they are satisfied with the cooperation offered thus far by the police.

This, however, is just the latest addition in a recent spate of crimes against women in the state. The state government on October 17 had announced the launch of a six-month ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign to ensure the safety and dignity of women and girls. Launching the programme, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath had said that the state had a zero-tolerance policy to those who committed crimes against females.

Pawan Pandey, former MLA from Ayodhya and a minister in the Samajwadi Party government, said, "The government's claims are hollow. Never have women and girls been as unsafe in the state as they are now".

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