The Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Rekha Sharma, has called for President’s Rule in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, due to the atrocities, violence, and sexual harassment faced by women in the area. Sharma stated that she had received 18 complaints, including two rape complaints, and emphasized that the local women have lost faith in the state police, making President’s Rule the only alternative.
During her interaction with the victims in Sandeshkhali, Sharma highlighted the gravity of the situation, revealing that there were not only two rape complaints but also numerous complaints of molestation. She expressed concern about the victims being threatened to withdraw their complaints, with even children being targeted at gunpoint. Additionally, Sharma called for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take moral responsibility and resign in light of the crisis.
Sharma’s visit to Sandeshkhali also involved an interaction with the local police, during which she witnessed the villagers being stopped from entering the police station. This development has led Sharma to advocate for President’s Rule in the area, following the recommendation by the Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Arun Halder to President Murmu.
The pressing need for intervention in Sandeshkhali has prompted Sharma to push for President’s Rule as a means to address the ongoing crisis, in the face of ineffective law enforcement and the alarming scale of violence and harassment faced by women. The situation in the area has raised serious concerns, compelling national commissions to call for decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the residents.
