AMPATI, June 5 � The molestation and rape suffered by the two sisters, one 14 and another 17 will be etched in their memories for a long time. The elder sister narrating the incident said she was returning from the neighbouring town of Mankachar and then decided to go to the park in Ampati along with a few friends.
Unfortunately for them, the OC of Ampati Police Station entered the park and took all of them to the nearby police station. He isolated the two sisters from the rest of the group and then sent the others home. He kept them in the toilet within the police station.
The rape victim recalled the tragedy saying it was her younger sister who was called into the room of the OC, Nurul Islam, who started molesting the young girl in the police station itself. After sometime, he asked her to wait outside and get her elder sister from the toilet.
Initially, the OC asked her to be his girl friend saying that he would her give her a very good time. In a short while he raped her right within the walls of the police station. He then threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the incident. The incident happened on March 13.
The OC became bolder and this time went to her house along with police escorts, whom he kept waiting outside in the guise of interrogating her alone. The elder sister, who had already been raped by the OC, was at home all alone. He again raped her, this time at gunpoint. He again threatened to kill her.
The younger sister said that she had not been raped but molested in the first instance but confirmed the story told by her elder sister.
Meanwhile, the NGOs, especially the AYWO has already submitted a memo addressed to the Home Minister Roshan Warjri seeking a probe into the incident. They have also warned of protests if justice was not given.
The case has seen two suspensions already, with the Sub Inspector in charge of the escort team suspended as well as the OC who committed the crime.
A pleasant surprise has been the quick reaction of the District administration in helping in the rehabilitation of the victims. Ram Singh, Deputy Commissioner South West Garo Hills reacted swiftly and immediately announced a payment of Rs 50, 000 ex-gratia to each of the victims. When the victims sought help keep the money in bank, the DC asked the SBI, Ampati branch to take special care of the victims in opening new bank accounts.
The DC further said that he had already spoken to schools in the district and ensured both the victims are taken in. One of the sisters is a Class II drop-out. Further, he said he would issue a directive to ensure that all drop-outs were re-admitted so that the children could complete their studies.
Ram Singh said, �We cannot hope to re-write the heinous crimes committed by the OC, Nurul Islam, but we can at least help with the rehabilitation of the girls, so that they are able to live a normal life�.
