ATDUM demands
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 20 2014 :
The All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur (ATDUM) has urged the authorities concerned to submit charge sheet against the man accused of raping a student of Government Ideal Blind School, Takyelpat and also to terminate officials of the school and Social Welfare Department who tried to cover the horrendous crime.
Speaking to media persons at their office today, ATDUM president Momo Tatanga maintained suspension is not enough for Ideal Blind School Headmistress W Binakumari and Social Welfare Director L Ibobi.
They should be terminated.
On account of their (Binakumari and Ibobi) attempt to cover the incident for almost two months, there is strong possibility of the disappearance of evidence.
After the blind student was raped on April 13, the matter was reported to the Headmistress on April 18.But the school authority did not bother to send the girl for medical examination nor did they take up any legal action against the accused chowkidar Him Bahadur Thapa alias Khansa.
The rape case was reported in media only on June 8 and the victim was sent for medical examination on June 10.There is strong possibility of the disappearance of scientific evidence in the intervening period of two months.
If this is the case, the Headmistress and the Director should be held accountable, Momo Tatanga said.
The fact that the rape was committed inside the school hostel exposed that the warden was quite incompetent.
Befitting actions should be initiated against the warden too.
Seeking compensation and rehabilitation facilities for the victim, Momo also demanded deployment of security guards at the school.
He also decried that many benefits like disabilities scholarship, unemployment allowance, financial assistance as guaranteed by the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Right and Full Participation) Act 1995 are either not provided or inadequate.
Unemployment allowance given to persons with disabilities are Rs 100 for matriculate, Rs 150 for Under Graduate and Rs 200 for Post Graduate.
These are quite inadequate and out of tune with the changing time, Momo asserted.
The State's share for the Indira Gandhi National Disabilities Pension Scheme has not been released.
Even as Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai stated on the floor of the House on July 11, 2012 that a separate Commissioner for persons with disabilities would be appointed within three months, no such appointment has been made till date.
It is highly condemnable that a helpless blind student was raped inside the school hostel.
What was even more culpable was the attempt of the school authority and the Social Welfare Director to cover up the bestial crime.
In connection with the rape case and provision of certain benefits to persons with disabilities, ATDUM representatives called on Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai today and submitted a memorandum.