HUNDREDS of people belonging to various mass organisations led by the All India Democratic Women’s Organisation rose in protest against the brutal rape and murder of the 28 year old mentally challenged woman from Nepal who had come to Rohtak for treatment at her sister’s place in Chinaut Colony. She was abducted by a group of notorious elements from near her residence on February 1 and the case was immediately reported to local police who did not come into action till her badly bruised and mutilated body was found lying in the fields three days later on February 4. The nature of the crime, as reported in the post mortem report, being more heinous than even the Nirbhaya case, aroused angry protests all around which compelled the police to come into action. This burning anger against increasing insecurity of women and insensitivity of the police was reflected in the gathering of thousands of people on February 8 from all walks of life including large number of people mobilised by Nepali Pravasi Samaj and Nepali Ekta Manch.

The angry citizens gathered at local Mansarovar Park and took out a massive demonstration on the main roads of the city shouting slogans against the failure of the state and the administration to identify and arrest the culprits even after almost a week since the crime had taken place. The demonstration took the form of a huge dharna (sit in) at D Park Chowk in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi where the protestants with candles in their hands, sat together demanding hearing and assurance from district administration for an immediate action. The traffic on the road was blocked for hours together till the Superintendent of  Police, Rohtak appeared on the scene to explain the situation and accept the memorandum on behalf of various organisations. The protest ended with a firm assurance by the SP for all-out action by the police and the arrest of the culprits within 24 hours. The demonstration was attended and addressed, among others, by AIDWA vice president Sudha Sundararaman, AIDWA leaders Rajkumari, sabita, Anju, and leadership of Nepali Pravasi Samaj and other mass organisations. Sudha Sundararaman in her address expressed utter shock at the growing insecurity of women in Haryana and failure of the ruling Haryana governments to protect the rights and dignity of women in spite of women’s immense contribution at every level. CPI(M) state secretary Inderjeet also expressed serious concern on the issue of violence against women and his solidarity with the woman’s family.

A delegation of AIDWA, Haryana comprising of its general secretary Rajkumari, secretary Savita and district president Rakesh Kumari, met the director general of police Yashpal Singhal and the deputy collector Shekhar Vidyarthi, demanding financial aid and counselling for the poor family and adequate security arrangements for women in the state. The delegation was accompanied by the members of the family of the dead woman including her sister with whom she was staying. The demands also included strict action against the incharge of the local police area and the erring police officials for their gross negligence. The delegation also emphasised upon the swift trial of the whole case in a fast track court.

Significant developments of this successful intervention include an announcement of  Rs 5 Lakhs by the Haryana government as economic assistance to the family, arrest of seven of the culprits and constitution and visit of the medical team for counseling of the aggrieved family members. However one of the culprits is reported to have committed suicide. AIDWA has resolved for continuous action and sustenance of pressure till the larger issue of women’s safety and security in Haryana is addressed and implemented.