Kapilvastu,
June 15
People of Kapilvastu district have drawn the attention of the KP Oli government towards prevailing insecurity in the district.
They said they are feeling unsafe, in view of a recent gang-rape of a verbally-challenged woman in Chandrauta of the district. Police have arrested one of the accused, an Armed Police Force Javan. Local people have accused certain quarters of protecting others involved in the crime.
On Tuesday, a delegation of locals handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Oli through chief district officer Indu Ghimire, demanding judicial investigation into the case.
Accepting the memorandum, Ghimire pledged to forward the memorandum to the responsible authority and bring those involved in crime under the purview of law.
The memorandum has also drawn the attention of Home Minister, Minister for Women and Children, National Human Rights Commission, National Women Commission, Nepal Police IG and APF IG towards the matter. Representatives of 43 organisations, political parties, civil society and journalists have signed on it.
At a human rights orientation programme organised on Tuesday, participants said rights violations resulting from incidents of murder, violence, rape, theft, looting, human trafficking, blockade and transport strike have taken a huge toll on them.
Mina Pariyar, district coordinator for Peace Committee, said: Armed Police Force is supposed to provide us security, but our mothers and sisters are feeling unsafe because of them. In a situation like this, when will we be able to enjoy our rights?
Netra Prasad Belbase, president of the Sagarmatha Welfare Society, said the gang rape of a verbally-challenged woman has left the people of Chandrauta in deep shock, pointing that this incident has once again reminded people of killings and arson attacks that took place in Chandrauta about nine years ago. Belbase vented ire against those concerned for arresting only one person involved in the rape and shielding others.
Dipak Jung Dhowj Karki, chief of the Butwal-based NHRC regional office, said they will put human rights violators under purview of investigation and prod higher authorities for action against them.
