IT News
Imphal, May 03:
Eastern Himalayan Women Forum (EHWF), a network of women organization working to the cause of indigenous women and children in Eastern Himalayan Region of North East India expressed deep concerns about the rape and death of the 12 yr old minor girl in Nagaon, Assam.
A statement signed by its Convenor, Maggie L Ralte said that the minor girl was a resident of Kudam Ronghang Arong under Boithalangso police station in West Karbi Anglong district.
It said that the minor girl’s parents dropped her in the residence of Paresh Borthakur in 2018 with a faith that she could be treated as a daughter by Borthakur and provide her education. Paresh Borthakur is a resident of Khaigor village in Nagaon’s Raha area. The ignorant minor tribal girl has been physically, mentally, sexually assaulted several times.
On April 22, 2021, the tragic incident occurred at the residence of the perpetrator, Prakesh Borthakur and his son Nayanivoti Borthakur. She was set on fire.
Many claimed that the minor girl was pregnant and she was burnt to death to destroy the proof that she had been raped.
“We are extremely concerned about the number of rape cases throughout North Eastern state especially in Nagaon and the widespread pattern of violence against women. The incident has revealed that at least 5,000 children (from a reliable source) from Karbi Anglong are presently living in Nagaon district, in towns like Raha, where they are made to work as household help. The government has failed to carry out Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. This scheme was unleashed with the aim of generating awareness to encourage girls and inspire to pursue their education. This is indeed very sad to know that this remains in the paper and not executed to save and educate girl child. This child labour practices need to be stopped and the government really need to pay special attention to the children from Karbi Anglong living in Nagaon District,” the statement of the Eastern Himalayan Women Forum said.
The forum expressed strong condemnation to the heinous crime committed against this 12 year old minor girl who was raped and murdered and call upon the Assam government – both the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the Governor Jagdish Mukhi to form Special Investigation Team to carry out fair investigation as soon as possible and to book all the culprits under POCSO Act within 6 months so that justice is delivered in the court of law.
The Forum also urged the government of Assam to pay special attention to the children from Karbi Anglong living in Nagaon District and start rescuing the children under child labour and come up with measures and more stringent laws and implement it.
