Tripura Fights another case of Gangrape
A gang rape case in Tripura involving a minor from the Reang community has found voice from Chieftain Khaba Reang demands justice from the NHRC and local authorities after a series of failures to apprehend key suspects.
While the dust is still settling from the distressing events surrounding the R.G. Kar incident, we now face another shockwave, this time emanating from the small yet close-knit Reang community in Tripura. It appears that grim news travels faster than a greased weasel on a skateboard these days, and this latest tale is a chilling reminder of the dark corners we often overlook.
In what can only be described as a tragic and appalling case, a minor girl from the Reang tribe has been gang-raped, an incident that has sent shockwaves not only through her community but the entire state. To add salt to the wound, the main perpetrators remain free as birds, flitting about without so much as a slap on the wrist. If you thought justice was a bit slow off the mark, this will have you wondering if it’s even laced up its boots yet.
The chieftain of the Reang community, Khaba Reang, a figure revered as the Kaskau and Samaj Adhipati, has taken it upon himself to stir the pot – and rightly so. In an impassioned letter addressed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Tripura, Khaba Reang has laid bare his frustration, anger, and, dare I say, the sort of rage that comes when you realise the system’s cogs are rustier than a bike left in the rain for a decade.
The crux of the matter is as clear as day: despite the heinous nature of the crime, the local authorities have, by and large, fumbled the ball. One of the accused, a certain Rajendra Debbarma, is sitting behind bars – although, given the pace of proceedings, he might be there long enough to start collecting pension. The main player in this grotesque drama, however, Dr. Dayasish Chakma, continues to walk free, blissfully going about his duties as the District TB Officer in Dhalai District. You’d think someone would have popped round for a quick chat by now, wouldn’t you?
Khaba Reang’s letter, dripping with both sorrow and indignation, pulls no punches. He deems the event a “remorseful, painful, and heart-touching accident” – a rather restrained description for what most of us would call an outright horror. The victim, a young girl from a humble background, has been left not only with physical trauma but financial hardship as well, with her family unable to afford the much-needed medical treatment. Talk about adding insult to injury.
The scandal only deepens when you consider the involvement of government officials in the crime. This isn’t just a case of wrong place, wrong time – it’s a grotesque abuse of power, with men holding prestigious positions seemingly able to wiggle their way out of the clutches of the law. Dr. Chakma, for instance, continues to perform his official duties, perhaps treating patients with one hand while thumbing his nose at the law with the other. Even his brother, Suhas Chakma, a prominent human rights activist, seems to have gone as quiet as a church mouse, much to the dismay of the victim’s supporters.
Not one to let things lie, Reang has warned that if swift action isn’t taken, the Reang community will have no choice but to hit the streets. And frankly, who could blame them? It’s a sad state of affairs when the only way to get any action is to gather with placards in hand and make a fuss.
The case, which has been filed at the Vanghmun police station, includes charges of conspiracy, cheating, rape, and criminal intimidation – a veritable laundry list of humanity’s worst traits. Yet, despite these serious allegations, the response from authorities has been slower than a snail on crutches. It begs the question: just how many hurdles does a community have to jump through before justice stops dragging its feet?
Reang’s final words in his letter express a sliver of hope that action will be taken before the situation escalates. But that hope is hanging by a thread, and if we’ve learned anything from history, it’s that the longer justice is delayed, the more perilous the path to peace becomes.
As the Reang community of Tripura waits with bated breath, one can’t help but feel that justice is not only blind but perhaps a little deaf and daft too. Here’s hoping the authorities wake up, smell the coffee, and give this case the attention it so desperately deserves. Otherwise, we may be in for yet another tragic chapter in this all-too-familiar saga of systemic failure.
Cover Image Credits Countercurrents.
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