Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram | Kolkata - Hindustan Times
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Mamata promises to marry off raped girls of Nandigram

None | By, Garchakraberia (nandigram)
Apr 26, 2007 04:16 AM IST

Mamata says that she now took the responsibility to socially rehabilitate and marry off the girls who were molested and raped by the CPI(M) cadres during the Nandigram invasions, reports Arindam Sarkar.

Mamata Banerjee has never done this before. In an unprecedented gesture to the people of Nandigram, Mamata said that she now took the responsibility to socially rehabilitate and marry off the girls who were molested and raped by the CPI(M) cadres during the Nandigram invasions.

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Speaking at a huge rally that had as many women as men, Mamata said that an NGO had carried out a survey in Nandigram after the attacks, and the study revealed that more than 300 women and girls have been raped and molested by the CPI(M) cadres. But social fear is keeping them mum.

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In a dramatic move, Mamata shouted from the stage and asked the tortured women to stand up so that the media could take a head count of the victims. “There is nothing to be ashamed off. I am a woman and I understand your plight. But what is your crime. You just went to save your land and faced this inhuman torture,” said Mamata.

Then Mamata announced that all those mothers, whose daughters have been raped and therefore couldn’t find a husband here, should give a photograph and address of the girl to Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee leader and Trinamool Congress Contai MLA Suvendu Adhikari.

“It is my duty to socially rehabilitate these girls. As long as I am alive nothing bad will happen to them. I will get all of them married to good boys, some of whom could also be from my own political party,” said Mamata.

Mamata also met the wailing family members of the fourteen who were killed on March 14 and the three who died in firing on January 3. Mamata gave Rs 50,000 to each family and promised to give more in the coming days to ensure they live a secured life.

“It is unfortunate that most of them who died were between 17 and 22 years old. How could the police openly fire at innocent villagers? I have got hold of a copy of the videocassette that was shot by the police while carrying out the Nanadigram operation. I am also collecting other incriminating evidences. I will take this CM and his government to the dock,” said Mamata.

Mamata said that though the CBI was investigating the case, if need be a sitting judge of Supreme Court could also be appointed to carry out an enquiry into the killings.

“There are several cases against the government pending in the High Court. And today, a PIL has been accepted in the Supreme Court. So please collect evidences and give it to me,” Mamata told the crowd.

Mamata told the villagers not to leave the village without being escorted by the Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee leaders. She said, “Many of them here were witnesses of March 14 killings and the CPI(M) would definitely try to remove all evidences by kidnapping or killing them. So stay united and inside the village,” warned Mamata.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Arindam Sarkar is Editor-Special Projects of Hindustan Times, Kolkata. He has spent over two decades covering Bengal and national politics of India as correspondent and editor. He has also covered South Asian countries.

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