The CPI (M) has expressed its horror and anguish at the unending spate of rapes and murders of children over the last few months, especially the two recent cases in Unnao and Kathua.
The ongoing party congress has demanded that the government order an inquiry supervised by the Supreme Court into the Kathua lawyers’ protest, and wanted that those found guilty must be barred from practising law.
‘Protect victim’s kin’
The victim’s family and lawyer who complained of threats and harassment should be given protection by the J&K government, while steps should be taken to fast track the trials of cases of gang- rape and murder of minors, the party said.
The guilty should be given the maximum punishment permissible.
Steps should also be initiated to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling in respect of provision of compensation and rehabilitation measures for rape victims were implemented by all States, the party said in a resolution introduced on Saturday, adding that all officers of the administration and police found to be shielding perpetrators of sexual assault be punished and removed from their posts.
“It is a horrific reflection of communalisation in that the victim was selected because of her religion and accused protected because of their religion,” CPI (M) polit bureau member Brinda Karat said, referring to the Kathua rape case.
“The Prime Minister had to break his silence. But his response was too little and too late,” she said.
