‘Rape Victim should get Rs 25 Lakh Compensation, Counselling & Govt Job’- Dalit Samiti

‘Rape Victim should get Rs 25 Lakh Compensation, Counselling & Govt Job’- Dalit Samiti

Mangaluru:Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Hotel Woodlands, Mangaluru, Raghuveer Sooterpete, the President of Dalita Damanita Swabimana Horata Samiti (R) said, “Mangaluru which is known for its friendly people and peace-loving city has brought a black dot to its status, with the recent heinous rape incident that took place in Thota Bengre, where a gang of five young men raped an innocent Dalit girl. This incident brings back memories of the gang rape that took place in New Delhi a few years ago. In the northern part of India, we often hear about gang rape incidents, but this gang rape here is happening for the first time in Mangaluru, which is a shame to all of us”.

“Even though the police were quick in nabbing the culprits, for which we are thankful, but we urge them to keep a vigil and provide protection to the citizens all the time, especially young women who fall prey to cruel men. Even though the government has announced a compensation of Rs four lakhs for the victim’s family, but we are asking the govt to raise the compensation to Rs 25 lakhs, because the victim hails from a very poor family. We also urge the concerned authorities to provide counselling for the girl, and also give a good government job. The girl and her family members are scared to go out after the incident, and that’s one more problem for them in their lives. We will continue our fight till the girl’s family gets justice”, added Raghuveer.

Also speaking on the occasion, Ashok Konchady said, “Our fight is not just against the rape on this Dalit girl, but against all the harassment, assault and rape that takes place on other women from different communities. What happened to this innocent Dalit girl could happen to any our women member from our family, relatives or from the society. We urge the police commissioner to come out with a plan to protect our women from all these atrocities etc that takes place on women. We would be meeting the Police Commissioner and the DC soon to discuss on how safety can be provided to the women in our district, which has become an education hub, where lots of students, including girls, come from out of Mangaluru. And if such incidents of rape, assault etc take place on women, outsiders will be reluctant to come down to Mangaluru”.

Kishore Attavar, the secretary of PUCL also spoke and urged the law enforcement authorities to take strict action on these culprits and see that they don’t get bail, and if possible imprison them for a lifetime. Ramesh Kotian, Shekhar Chilimbi, Ms Yashoda, Ganesh Sooterpet, Suresh Kavoor, Ramesh Kumar were among others present during the press meet.