The East Garo Hills administration in Meghalaya has announced an interim relief of Rs. 25,000 to a victim of gang-rape, that occurred in Williamnagar, the headquarter town of the district on December 13.
East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner V.K. Mantri told The Hindu that the interim relief to the victim has been provided in accordance with the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011.
The Meghalaya cabinet approved the Scheme in February 2012 to provide compensation to victims of rape, human trafficking and other crimes, who suffer loss or injury as a result of the crime and require rehabilitation.
The maximum compensation to rape victims under the scheme is Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000, in case of loss or injury causing mental agony to women and child victims in cases of human trafficking, kidnapping etc. So far, 15 of the 16 accused have been arrested in connection with the gang-rape of the 18-year-old girl. Eight of the accused, being juveniles, have been sent to a juvenile home in Tura while the rest, all below 22 years, have been sent to jail.
