AIDWA Slams BJP Govt's Inaction Amid Rising Violence Against Women in Tripura

Delhi: The Left-affiliated All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) has strongly condemned the increasing sexual and other forms of violence against women in Tripura. 

Working on the ground, the Tripura State Committee of AIDWA has recorded at least 12 cases of such violence between April 15 and June 1, 2023, in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state, according to the organisation's press release.

During this period, Tripura has witnessed a disturbing surge in violent attacks targeting women, with victims ranging from young girls to tribal women and disabled individuals. Instances of rape, gang rape, and molestation have plagued the state, with political violence against women becoming more pronounced since the BJP's victory in the recent Assembly elections, the AIDWA said.

Among the documented incidents is the rape of a 12-year-old girl on April 15, 2023, which sent shockwaves through the community. Just a week later, on April 23, there was an attempted rape allegedly perpetrated by BJP goons and a panchayat pradhan, the AIDWA noted. The gravity of the situation further unfolded with the rape of a mentally retarded woman on May 2, 2023, and a college student in Agartala falling victim to a similar crime on May 9.

The situation became even more concerning with the gang rape of two minor tribal girls on May 14 in the Gomati and Lalchara districts in Langtarai Valley. 

This was followed by the rape of an eight-year-old girl on May 24. The heinous crimes continued unabated as an 11-year-old girl became a victim of a brutal gang rape on May 28. 

In June, two incidents occurred on the very first day of the month. A 5-year-old girl fell victim to rape, while a 14-year-old girl was subjected to a horrifying gang rape. The spree of violence persisted on June 2, when a 14-year-old girl and an ITI student were abducted.

In addition to the recent cases, a report presented in the state assembly in October 2022 revealed alarming statistics. Since January 2020, over 400 incidents of rape have been registered in Tripura. The report, presented by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also heads the Home Department, stated that 1,174 individuals had been arrested for various crimes against women, including rape. Disturbingly, the report highlighted that seven women were murdered after being subjected to sexual assault during the same period.

These concerning figures were disclosed in response to a question posed by Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman and CPI(M) MLA Nirmal Biswas during the Assembly session. 

AIDWA's press statement, coupled with the revelations from the report, underscores the gravity of the situation. The women's organisation has for the Tripura Women's Commission to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the cases and release a comprehensive report on the actions taken against the perpetrators. Furthermore, AIDWA demanded the immediate arrest of the accused individuals and the implementation of effective measures to safeguard the well-being of women in the state.