A protest march was organised by CPI(ML) and AIPWA in Patna on January 12th, 2024 demanding action against the perpetrators of gangrape and murder of Dalit girls in Bihar’s Phulwari. The incident which occurred on January 8th in Hinduni Village in Phulwari, led to the death of one of the girls and another was severely injured. The girls had gone to the nearby village to collect firewood. When they failed to return home, their family members approached the local police station, but the officer refused to initiate immediate action and instead made the family wait.
Speaking at the protest, Com. Meena Tiwari, Politburo Member of CPI(ML) and AIPWA National General Secretary said that if the police had initiated immediate action when the family members informed them about the missing girls, they could have been saved. Clearly, it is the criminal negligence of the police that led to the tragedy, said and added that strict action be taken against the erring officers. She demanded that immediate steps are needed to nab the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The government must also ensure proper security and medical treatment for the injured girl and compensation should be provided to the families.
CPI(ML) MLA from Phulwari Gopal Ravidas demanded immediate action against the perpetrates of the crime and added that the police personnel responsible for negligence must be held accountable.
Earlier, a CPI(ML) – AIPWA fact finding team had visited the village to investigate the incident. Com. Ravidas and CPI(ML) MLA Com. Mehaboob Alam also visited the family members of the victim and the survivor and assured that struggle for justice will continue until all the perpetrators are convicted. Demanding a speedy trial, they added that government must take immediate steps to curb violence against women and lack of action by police is a matter of serious concern.
