The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended to President Droupadi Murmu that President’s rule be imposed in West Bengal in the aftermath of the violence in Sandeshkhali area of the State.
In a 24-page report submitted to the President by NCW chairperson Ms. Rekha Sharma in New Delhi on March 05, the NCW also recommended the appointment of a Central or judicial body to investigate the violence and replacing the personnel deployed in the local police station.
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The report was based on the feedback received by Ms. Sharma as well as by a fact-finding team of the commission that was sent to Sandeshkhali last month, the NCW said in a statement on Wednesday.
An inquiry committee set up by the NCW and chaired by Ms. Sharma to investigate these incidents upon visiting Sandeshkhali, “found numerous complaints of physical and sexual abuse, land acquisition, and wrongful arrests of male family members”.
However, their attempts to meet with local authorities, including the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, “were met with negligence and apathy” the report said.
The committee underscored a total breakdown of law and order in Sandeshkhali, with a disturbingly high incidence of violence against women.
Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates have been accused of confining women unlawfully and subjecting them to rape, molestation, and physical abuse, the report said.
“Despite Sheikh Shahjahan’s known criminal record and numerous complaints against him, no action had been taken against the accused,” the NCW said.
Apart from those mentioned above, the report has also recommended strengthening intelligence-gathering mechanisms and establishing support services for victims of crime, including counselling, legal aid, and rehabilitation. It also suggested implementing socio-economic schemes for villagers and community awareness programmes and enhancing victim support services.
Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29, following which the Trinamool Congress suspended him from the party for six years.
