Birbhum rape victim assured of rehabilitation says Minister

Kolkata, Jan 25: Faced with constant criticism over its handling of the brutal

of a 20-year-old tribal woman allegedly at the behest of a kangaroo court, the West Bengal government on Saturday assured the victim of rehabilitation.

Woman and Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja visited the victim, currently recuperating in a hospital after being repeatedly brutalised Jan 20 by at least a dozen men in Birbhum district's Subalpur village.

"She has a few apprehensions, including whether she would be accepted back in society. I have assured her that the government will extend every possible help to ensure her full rehabilitation. We have advised her not worry about anything and concentrate on regaining her health," Panja said, after meeting the victim at the Suri Sadar Hospital.

Panja: Government will extend every possible help to the girl

The woman was allegedly violated following orders of a tribal kangaroo court which found her "guilty of having an affair with a man outside her community".

The woman has said she was left at the mercy of the men after she was unable to pay Rs.50,000 imposed on her as a fine by the headman for having an affair with a man outside her community. Her male companion was tied up as she was brutalised. He was let off on payment of a fine, and the woman punished for being too poor to pay the fine.

Officials of the district administration as well as of the woman and child welfare department have been in constant touch with the victim.

The incident, which has shaken the nation, and brought India into international headlines for all the wrong reasons, prompted the apex judiciary to issue notice to the Mamata Banerjee government for a probe.

IANS