The Tribal Gujjar Bakkerwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) has approached the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes demanding action against the prime accused, school headmaster, under the SC/ST Act, adequate compensation to the family and monitoring of the investigation into an FIR registered at Police Station Chatroo in Kishtwar district over alleged repeated sexual assault, pregnancy and consequent death of a minor Gujjar Scheduled Tribe girl.
The foundation has asked the commission to obtain a comprehensive action-taken report from the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, director general of police and other authorities explaining the non-invocation of the SC/ST Act and measures taken for investigation, family protection, compensation and rehabilitation. The FIR names the accused and his brother under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The foundation has requested the NCST to direct police authorities to invoke the SC/ST Act against the accused. It emphasised that the principal accused was allegedly the child’s own teacher, occupied a position of authority and confidence over her, and was personally acquainted with her and her family.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the school education department to complete its inquiry into the Kishtwar incident on an expeditious basis so that stringent and exemplary action can be ensured in the matter.
Highlighting the family’s economic, social and migratory vulnerability, the foundation has sought an immediate threat assessment and effective protection for the parents, siblings and material witnesses.
It has sought an independent investigation into every participant and the reported role of medical practitioners or other intermediaries connected with the pregnancy-termination episode. In a complaint filed through its member trustee Kabir Ahmed, the TGBWF has urged the commission to take cognisance of the matter as an urgent atrocity-related complaint and monitor the investigation through periodic progress reports until it reaches its lawful conclusion.
