The Hindu : `Sexual harassment of girls in dalams'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

`Sexual harassment of girls in dalams'

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR DEC. 16. Two surrendered Janashakti naxalites have accused their former colleagues of sexually harassing minor girls in the squads after luring them into the party fold in the name of revolution.

Speaking to reporters after their surrender here on Monday, Maddula Limbaiah and Nandam claimed that one of the minor girls Bakhya Lalee, was also forced to undergo medical termination of pregnancy by the dalam commander, Naveen.

He alleged that Naveen was responsible for her pregnancy at a younger age. He had quarrelled with Naveen for the pregnancy of Lalee and abortion. But Naveen said that the matter would be discussed with the DCS, Sagar, but even after months there was no response, he added. Irked by the ill-treatment of women in the dalams, he had surrendered before the police.

Another naxalite, Nandam of Kondapur village of Konaraopeta mandal, who was abducted by Sunkati Sailu, brother of surrendered Janashakthi naxalite Sunkati Sailu alias Ranadheer, said that he was taken into the dalam and handed over a revolver. When Lalee developed stomach pain due to pregnancy, Naveen asked him to take Lalee to a private hospital and abort the foetus, he said, and added that the dalam had also given him Rs. 800 for the hospital expenses. He did the same and later rejoined the dalam.

He said Lalee was again forced to join the dalam stating that the police would kill her in an encounter. He said when other dalam members protested against the sexual harassment of a minor girl, the dalam commander assured them that he would marry the tribal girl.

The Superintendent of Police said that the sexual exploitation of innocent tribal girls, who were made to join the naxalite fold by the Janashakthi group, was inhuman and a heinous crime which any civilised society would never think of. He called upon people to teach them a fitting lesson. Calling upon people to condemn unequivocally the unethical act of naxalites, he appealed to revolutionary groups to allow women's organisations with teams of doctors to check the health of these unfortunate girls who had been victimised by dalam leaders.

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