New Delhi:
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought registration of FIRs against policemen accused of raping seven women in Bhatta and Parsaul villages during an agitation against by farmers.
The twin villages in Greater Noida were the epicenter of bitter protests against Mayawati's land acquisition policies in May-June this year.
Besides the registration of rape case, the Commission member hearing the case has also sought re-investigation into the charges made by the seven alleged victims.
Commission Chairman PL Punia has said that on the basis of affidavits given by the seven alleged rape victims, Commission member Latha Priyakumar has written to Noida SSP for registration of rape cases against the accused cops.
Following the clashes between protesters and police in the villages and neighbouring areas in May, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had visited the affected farmers and alleged that burnt bodies were found and women were raped. This raised a political storm with the UP government denying the charges.
Women and Child Welfare Minister Krishna Tirath, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on August 12, had said that there was no confirmation of any rape in Greater Noida villages in Uttar Pradesh.
The minister said in her written reply that "an inquiry committee constituted by the National Commission for Women visited the Bhatta Parsaul villages in Uttar Pradesh on 12-05-2011. No specific case of rape has been confirmed by the Inquiry Committee."
Punia said the seven victims of the village had personally appeared before the Commission member Latha Priyakumar last week and testified that they were raped by the Noida policemen.
"The Commission has written to the SSP for re-investigation of the case, which should be done by a woman police officer," Punia told PTI.
The case will now come up for further hearing before the SC Commission in the first week of September.