People's Democracy

The following is the statement issued by the All India Democratic Women's Association on August 28:

AIDWA is shocked by the unabated spate of sexual crimes against dalit girls in Haryana, in many of which the police have displayed an inexcusable lack of commitment to tracking down the criminals, and taking stringent action against them.

In the case of the 20 year old dalit girl who disappeared from Jind on August 24, police have been unable to explain how her mutilated body was found near a canal the next day, reportedly with cigarette burn marks on her body and indications of sexual violence, if it was suicide as alleged by them. Unfortunately, the post mortem reports from the local hospital, and from PGIMS in Rohtak, have also not helped to assuage suspicions about improper investigation. The AIDWA unit of Haryana held a protest demonstration in Jind, demanding a thorough probe into the incident, and justice for the victim.

On August 28, Sudha Sundararaman, AIDWA general secretary and Jagmati Sangwan, AIDWA vice president visited AIIMS hospital, where the body of the girl had been brought for the third post mortem, and met some of the family members. They were told about the faulty investigation due to which the true culprits have not even been identified as yet, leave alone arrested. They discovered that there were a lot of delays in carrying out the required medical procedures. They assured the family members that AIDWA would stand by them and fight for justice to the dalit girl. A protest demonstration was held on the spot, in which they took part on behalf of the AIDWA.

The AIDWA demands swift enquiry to ascertain the facts of the case, and speedy arrest of those guilty of the heinous crime. The Haryana government must come forward to take pro active steps for prevention of crimes against women, especially those belonging to socially, and economically disadvantaged communities and castes. We demand that the newly amended laws to provide legal justice to women be effectively implemented in letter and spirit.