Jammu and Kashmir has again been shamed. An in-charge headmaster raped a 15-year-old girl, resulting in pregnancy and her death following an abortion attempt in Kishtwar. Police have arrested accused Khalid Ahmed Sheikh, an in-charge headmaster of the Government Middle School, Bumalpora in Inderwal. Exploiting her poverty, the accused repeatedly raped the girl. A few weeks ago, she complained of stomach pain and was taken to a local health centre. The beastly teacher had offered money to the girl’s family members and threatened them against approaching the police. A few days back, he and his brother took the girl to a health facility in Kishtwar for an abortion. However, she was referred to another facility. During the procedure, her condition deteriorated, and she delivered a stillborn child. Later, the girl also succumbed. Protests rocked the area, with people demanding stringent punishment for the accused. A complete bandh was also observed against the incident. This is the fourth rape case in three months in Kashmir and Chenab Valley. Earlier this month, a savage rape of a 12-year-old girl in Bandipora sent shock waves across Kashmir. Last month, two beasts not only raped a young woman but also filmed the deplorable act in Baramulla. The woman had gone to Jalsheeri Drangbal with a male friend for an outing when two drivers started harassing them. The accused thrashed her male friend, forcing him to leave the place. They later took turns to rape the woman. The shocking part of the crime was that both accused recorded the despicable act on their mobile phone. Earlier in May, a 12-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Budgam district. The grisly rapes have again put the spotlight on women’s safety in Jammu and Kashmir. Data reveals that 3,405 cases related to different crimes against women were registered in 2020, 3,937 in 2021, and 3,716 in 2022. Likewise, crimes against children rose from 606 in 2020 to 845 in 2021 and 920 in 2022. Over 300 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2022. The time has come when the government and police need to take certain steps to stem the rot. We need speedy justice. We can’t wait for ages for cases to be decided. Let the Omar Abdullah government constitute special fast-track courts for crimes against women. Let a timeframe be set for deciding crimes against women and children. A stringent law with provisions for the death sentence for all kinds of rapes should be enacted. We have had enough. Our patience is running thin. The government should feel the pulse. Our daughters and sisters are increasingly feeling unsafe. People have given Omar Abdullah a big mandate. Let his government take responsibility and be the guardian angel of our girls.
Cry, my Kishtwar!
