Minor girls raped in Nandigram: NCM

The National Commission for Minorities has found that there were two specific cases of rape of minor girls in the trouble-torn Nandigram block in West Bengal.

The National Commission for Minorities has found that there were two specific cases of rape of minor girls in the trouble-torn Nandigram block in West Bengal.

Sources in the NCM said that two girls, aged 14 and 16, who were allegedly raped in front of their mothers, have been missing from their homes since November 6.

The investigations into the rapes and other atrocities on women were not progressing because of the “laxity” on the part of the administration, said the Commission.

The findings of Commission member Harcharan Singh Josh, who visited the area, will put the CPM Government on a spot over the issue of protection of the rights of minorities. The NCM team also found that atrocities had been committed on Muslim “farmers and peasants” in the area, allegedly with the support of the police and administration.

There were many cases of “loots” in the area too, said the Commission.

Among others, Josh had met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, bureaucrats, residents and members of various organisations, during his visit. NCM chairman Mohd Shafi Qureshi said the report presented by its member will be taken for discussion and it will ask state and Central Governments to take necessary steps.

“There have been lapses on part of the state Government. It seems all was pre-planned and executed with the connivance of the government,” Qureshi said. When contacted, Josh told The Indian Express: “Whatever the chairman speaks, is the stand of the NCM and I have nothing more to add”.