In an incident of threat and violence against a marginalized widow in 24 Parganas (N) district, West Bengal, allegedly by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, on 7th January 2022, the BSF personnel of 158 Battalion of Ghonermath BOP allegedly intimidated Kakali Mallick, widow of late Samir Mullick, yet, even a year later, her complaints have fallen deaf year.
In a representation to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman, Kirity Roy, secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), said, the victim lodged “two complaints to the Sub Divisional Office, Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district and the Inspector in Charge of Bongaon, Bongaon Police District, against the perpetrated BSF personnel.
“The inaction of the SDO and Bongaon police station inadvertently resulted in the BSF personnel denying justice to the widow. It is an act of misusing official power by government servants”, Roy complained.
“This incident shows that BSF violated the constitutional rights of the victims, guaranteed in section 19 and section 21 of the Constitution of India and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”, he said.
Roy added, “The plight of Kakali Mondal and denial of her livelihood practices is against Articles 6 (Right to Work), and 11 (Right to Adequate Standard of living) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Goal No 8 and 16 of SDGs and Articles 13 and 17 of UN declaration on the rights of peasants. In all these international instruments, the Government of India is a party.”
Roy demanded, “The BSF should be posted at the zero point not inside the villages”, insisting, “The perpetrated BSF personnel should be booked and prosecuted under legal penal provisions in the open court of law based on the complaint by the victim lady.”
According to Roy, “The police failed to register criminal case against on duty BSF personnel which violates guidelines laid by apex court in Lalita Kumari judgment.”
He added, “The victim should be adequately compensated for her financial and other losses from the pockets of the perpetrators” and the authorities should “take all necessary measures to guarantee the psychological security and integrity of the victim.”
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