Delhi, 15 February: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed concern over the violence against women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. In this regard, the fact-finding committee on behalf of the Commission has strongly condemned the pathetic condition of women in Sandeshkhali in its report.
On February 12, an NCW team visited Sandeshkhali to assess the situation in view of reports of serious violence and intimidation against women in the area. The team’s findings found that negligence and collusion on the part of the West Bengal government and law enforcement officials is leading to violence and a complete breakdown of law and order.
NCW member Delina Khongdup expressed deep disappointment over the attitude of the local police officials during her visit to Sandeshkhali.
She said the Director General of Police (DGP) allegedly refused to cooperate with the NCW and did not provide any assistance to the team. The commission member said that based on conversations with women in Sandeshkhali, it was revealed that women there are not only being harassed but are also not safe.
The victims told the commission that police officers and Trinamool Congress (TMC) members subjected them to physical and sexual violence. Women who dared to speak out against such atrocities faced immediate retaliation. This included confiscation of their property, arbitrary arrest of male family members.
The commission member said that the fear there was so great that the recording of the woman’s testimony taken by the NCW committee had to be removed in view of her safety. This situation is worrying in West Bengal.
Also, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Arun Halder and member Anju Bala reached Sandeshkhali on Thursday to meet the victims and expressed a sharp reaction.
NCSC member Anju Bala said, “It is a shameful incident that even in today’s time something like this can happen to women… The CM of the state is a woman. ‘She keeps the name Mamata but in her heart there is something called Mamta.”
NCSC President Arun Halder said, “I have received reports about Sandeshkhali that many people wanted to say a lot but were not given a chance. Commission members and we are here to listen. I will listen to them and give a report to the government. This is a constitutional institution, not a political institution…I will send a report to the President at 11 am tomorrow.”
