NCW overrules clean chit to state

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 18

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has refused to endorse the clean chit given by the State Women Commission to the government on the alleged trafficking of girls from backward areas of Sirmaur district. It has decided to visit the area now.

NCW member Rekha Sharma, who is here on a two-day visit to listen to the problems of women under “Jan Sunvai” (public hearing), said how could the state commission give a clean chit without investigating the matter and a team of NCW would soon visit the area to verify the facts.

Besides, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and leaders of various political parties from the area had condemned the reports regarding the trafficking of girls and later chairperson of the State Women Commission Jenab Chandel had also dubbed the reports as incorrect.

She also urged Jenab Chandel to start the probe de novo by involving all parties and conduct deeper investigations. Taking note of the absence of Jenab Chandel, the NCW member said she should have been here, but she appeared to be busy with other programmes.

“A three-member team of the NCW will investigate the allegations and NGOs will also be involved,” she said, chiding the police for not sending action-taken report in cases of torture and harassment of women. “It is unfortunate that even today, the police have not come out with any ATR,” she said.

Rekha Sharma, who listened to the complaints in 50 cases, said in dowry and harassment cases filed by affected women, aggrieved parties could also approach the commission for justice. The commission will verify the facts and in case the allegations made in the complaints are not authenticated, appropriate, the police will be directed to take necessary action.

She said in many cases, the complainant women also implicated the parents of the husband who were actually not involved to build pressure for settlement, but they could also approach the commission for clearing their position.

“Most of the complaints today pertain to domestic violence, harassment and property matters which have been given a sexual angle,” she added.