MORANG, JUL 24 – Police on Wednesday arrested six persons in connection with Monday’s assault and public humiliation of two people from the Dalit community in Belbari VDC-3 in Morang district.
Jeevan Bhetwal and Amit Bhetwal were arrested on Tuesday night, while four other accused—Sabita Bhetwal, Chandrakala Bhetwal, Ambika Bhetwal and Kamala Bhetwal—were picked up on Wednesday. The seventh suspect, Kabindra Prasain, is at large, police said. Police Inspector Dilip Kumar Giri at the Belbari Area Police Office said the court has remanded the six suspects in 15 days’ custody.
On Monday morning, Maya Sarki and Manoj Bishwokarma were assaulted and paraded with soot smeared on their faces and shoe garlands around their necks. The duo was accused of defaming Jeevan Bhetwal, who had reportedly attempted to rape 23-year-old Maya on Saturday evening.
Upon hearing Maya’s story, Manoj, who is a local Dalit rights advocate, had suggested her to file a complaint with the police against Jeevan. The Belbari Area Police Office arrested Jeevan on Saturday night and freed him on Sunday. Police said Jeevan was freed as there was no incriminating evidence against him.
On Monday morning, Jeevan, his friends, relatives and other villagers called Maya to a local school on the pretext of discussing the matter. When she reached there, the mob led by Jeevan started attacking her while other people jeered at the helpless woman. The mob also assaulted and humiliated Manoj. When Manoj and Maya complained about the assault to the police, the duo was reportedly forced to reconcile with the guilty party. The victims went to the Eastern Regional Office of the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday. The commission has vowed to bring the guilty party to justice.
Various Dalit organisations affiliated with political parties have demanded action against the guilty. They staged a demonstration in Belbari on Wednesday.
Prosecute perpetrators: Rights activists
KATHMANDU, JUL 24 – Human rights activists and organisations have condemned Monday’s mob attack on 23-year-old Maya Sarki in Belbari, Morang. They have demanded a fair investigation into the case and prosecution of the perpetrators.
In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission said the government should protect the victims and witnesses and prevent the situation from getting out of hand. The rights body has already filed cases of human rights violation against seven perpetrators.
A mob attacked Sarki and Manoj Bishwokarma after Sarki filed a complaint with the police against one Jeevan Bhetwal for attempting to rape her.
“Who gave the police the authority to settle the case amicably? This is a grave crime against women and Dalits. The police needs to prosecute the perpetrators,” said Mohana Ansari, spokesperson for the National Women Commission. A four-member team from the Commission is leaving for Morang on Thursday. Meanwhile, a team from the National Dalit Commission (NDC) left for the district on Wednesday. NDC Chairperson Sushila Shripali said the perpetrators need to understand that what they did was wrong. “The risk of reconciliation is always there, but we want the local administration to bring the culprits to book,” she said.
Dalit Civil Society members are holding a sit-in at Hanumanthan, Singha Durbar, on Thursday. “Unfortunately, Dalit political leaders have been quiet on the issue,” said Rem Bahadur Bishwokarma of Jagaran Media Centre. In statements, two women rights organisations, Sankalpa and Women Rights Protection Network, condemned the attack.
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