Chhattisgarh HM curses women's 'stars' for rapes

Raipur, Jan 8: Facing criticism over the Kanker

case,

Home Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar has landed himself in a spot by saying that crimes against women were happening as their stars were in adverse positions, a remark termed as childish and vulgar by the state Congress.

"We have no answer to this rising spate of crimes against women. Star are not in position," Mr Kanwar told reporters in Raipur, the state capital. "Harm can come on a person if the stars are in adverse positions...We have no answer to this, only an astrologer can predict," the Home Minister said.

Mr Kanwar's remarks yesterday came after opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh demanded dismissal of the BJP government over the issue of the alleged rape on minor inmates of a government-run residential school for tribal girls in Kanker district, which came to light following a complaint on Saturday.

Asked about the Home Minister's remarks, Chief Minister Raman Singh today quipped, "Now, what do I say on this." State Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel called Mr Kanwar's comments as childish and vulgar.

A delegation of Congress leaders, led by Mr Patel, had yesterday met Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and demanded dismissal of the state government, saying it has failed to ensure safety of the girls living in residential schools.

In a memorandum to the Governor, the party said that everybody was shocked by the incident of rape of inmates of Tribal Girls Pre-matric Hostel in Narharpur area of Kanker.

Two persons, including a teacher, have been arrested for allegedly raping minor inmates of the government-run residential school, according to police.

Accused Mannu Ram Gota, a contractual teacher, was arrested on Sunday night from a forest area of Narharpur, Superintendent of Police Rahul Bhagat said, adding that school watchman Deenaram had also been taken into custody in the case for sexually abusing the girls for several months.

Medical examination has confirmed rape of nine out of the 40 students, who are residing at the hostel located in Narharpur police station limits, he said. Medical tests were still underway.

The Chhattisgarh government has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident and Director General of Police Ramniwas has deputed IPS officer Neetu Kamal to investigate it. Stringent action will be taken against those who will be found guilty after the probe, the DGP said.

Meanwhile, services of both the accused along with hostel warden Babita Markam have been terminated by the district collector.

PTI