Miscellaneous
Rape victim in critical condition
A 10-year-old rape victim from an impoverished Dalit family in Pataura VDC-6, Rautahat, is said to be in critical condition.Shiva Puri
Radheshyam Patel, a 17-year-old local, had raped the minor on Friday evening. Assistant Sub-inspector Sukhadi Sah of Area Police Office, Garuda said that Patel assaulted her when she was out on a paddy field near her house. He has been absconding. “The victim’s health is critical due to excessive bleeding. She was taken to Birgunj as her treatment was not possible in Rautahat,” said Sah.
Meanwhile, the villagers were reluctant to cooperate with security officials who reached the village on Saturday for an investigation. Even the victim’s family baulked at lodging a complaint apparently fearing reprisal from the so-called higher caste people. There are only three Dalit families in the village. The incident is the eighth of its kind in the district in the past four months. Most of the victims were minors, said police. One Manoj Ram, 18, allegedly raped a minor at Bishrampur-9 in the district a couple of days ago. Eight suspects, including Ram, are at large. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudhir Shahi at the District Police Office said the search is on for the suspects. According to the DPO, three of the eight victims are from the Dalit community.
The Bishrampur incident came to light only after the victim’s family refused to settle the case in the village. According to a security source, the victim’s side faced tremendous pressure to remain tight-lipped.
Women rights activists claim that cases of rape are on the rise owing to ineffective law enforcement and political protection.