Raipur: A women’s group has criticized the Chhattisgarh government for not arresting the attackers of tribal social activist Soni Sori.
“It is unfortunate that the Chhattisgarh police couldn’t arrest the criminals who assaulted the Adivasi (tribal )activist Soni Sori by smearing black chemical liquid on her face” said Shahira Banu, leader of Women India Movement (WIM), in a statement.
A “semi liquid” substance was thrown on the face of Sori, a local leader of the Aam Aadmi Pary on February 21. It caused intense burning and injuries to her face. She was first admitted to a hospital in Jagdalpur and later shifted to Apollo Hospital in New Delhi where is currently undergoing treatment.
The incident took place near Bastanar at 10:30 pm, as the tribal activist was returning home after visiting the Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group. She was travelling on a motorcycle with another woman. “Two men on a bike stopped them near Bastanar ghati, and applied the substance to Sori’s face,” The Indian Express quoted a police official as saying.
WIM demanded that the Chhattisgarh government take firm steps to check crimes against women.
According to Banu, Sori was targeted for protesting “fake encounters and the high-handedness” of the police forces. The barbarous attack was to silence the activist and terrorize women. “Acid violence is a horrendous crime and this is a grave violation of human rights against the women in Indian society,” she added.
The WIM leader also noted that India reports at least 5 acid cases of acid attacks on women every week. The government does not provide adequate safety to women in the country. “That is why such offences are being witnessed daily. It is unbearable to imagine the plight of women who are victimized by such heinous crimes,” Banu was quoted as saying in twocircles.net
She wants the government to come out with an integrative approach in finding solutions to such issues.
Banu also wants the Sori case to be probed by police officers specially trained to handle gender sensitive issues. The activist must be compensated adequately to help her proper treatment and to meet the expenses of her school going children., she added.
The WIM leader also expressed concern about the safety of the activists’ children who could also be vulnerable to attack by the criminals.
She further demanded from the government that the production, distribution and storage of toxic acids be controlled and regulated strictly to avoid such offences in future.