Statesman News Service
MALDA, 24 JUNE: Following in Lalgarh's footsteps, thousands of tribals displaying their traditional arms and beating drums blocked a state highway for more than five hours in protest against police inaction at Kendpukur under Habibpur police station today.
Tribals were demanding the arrest of those charged of raping a minor tribal girl at Taljhari village in Habibpur - a tribal-dominated block.
A few days ago, a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a group of youths, according to a complaint lodged by her guardian with Habibpur police station. No-one has been arrested as yet. The girl was undergoing treatment in Malda hospital till yesterday.
The protest paralyzed life in the area, creating a 5km-long pile-up on both sides of the road block. The block development officer (BDO) and inspector in charge rushed to the spot but could not get them to clear the road.
The inspector in charge of Habibpur block stood there helplessly while the tribal people continuously criticized the role of the IC, using indecorous words. The IC was tightlipped in order to maintain ‘peace’ there.
Finally, the BDO reported to the district administration, requesting that senior police officials be sent to lift the block. The senior police officials, led by the deputy superintendent of police, rushed to the spot and managed the situation. They finally assured the people that the police would nab the four accused named in the complaints.
A few days ago, the minor girl, a resident of Salvita village, was allegedly raped by a group of local youths at Taljhari village. The incident added to the tribal people's growing anger, as in the last one-and-a-half years, nearly eight minor tribal girls have allegedly been raped in Habibpur block areas. The police have reportedly done nothing to punish the culprits.
When the incident came to light, the police suggested holding a reconciliation meeting with the tribal society to ‘dismiss’ the case. “Tribal people are unhappy with the role of the police here,” said a senior administrative officer in Habibpur block. According to local people, the reconciliation meeting was held, and a middle-man reportedly received Rs 50,000 from the culprits to ‘hush up’ the rape case against them. When the matter came to light, a group associated with a local club in Kendpukur mobilised the tribal people in blocking the road in protest against police inaction. The Malda police superintendent Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhdayay has decided to conduct an inquiry against the alleged police officer in this case.
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