LUCKNOW: Influential Yadavs of Ghazipur district stripped a 19 year old pregnant woman and paraded her naked throughout the Kharauna village in order to intimidate her family members and grab their land. ‘This is the third incident of stripping of a Dalit or backward woman in the state after SP-BSP Government assumed Charge in Uttar Pradesh seven months ago.
The police turned a blind eye to the episode and a report of the incident was registered after four days and that due to intervention of local leaders. The Chazipur district administration has paid a compensation of Rs 1000 to the victim, Shakuntala. They have also suspended a constable and a sub inspector for dereliction of duty. However no action has been taken against the accused.
The district magistrate, Ghazipur, Babu Ram Yaday, clarifies that Shankuntala was not completely stripped. Some of her clothes were tom during the scuffle, he says, However, Shakuntala and her clan is terrified that the ordeal might be repeated.
The assailants are well-connected and powerful, they have influenced even the district magistrate which is why no action has been taken against them,” says Shakuntala,
Radhey Shyam rushed to nearby police outpost at Sithaurha but police refused to register their complaint and did not even visit the spot to save the victims, It the meantime, the assailants dragged Radhey Shaym’s wife, Shakuntala out of her house, beat her up and stripped her naked, Then they dragged her throughout the village, It was only when the local media highlighted the treatment meted out to Shakuntala that the district administration stirred. The DM and SP visited the spot on June 18 and ordered an FIR to be registered against the accused
But, the accused are still at large and are reportedly pressurizing Shakuntala and her family members to withdraw the charges leveled against them,
Article extracted from this publication >> July 8, 1994
