Raipur: As per the media reports the Chhattisgarh Police have registered a case against unidentified members of the CRPF after it was stated that girl students of a government residential school at Palnar in Dantewada were inappropriately touched on the pretext of frisking them. The incident dates back to July 31, a five-member district-level committee was constituted to look into the allegations, after which a case was registered on Monday.
Image for Representation.
While interacting with the media the senior district officials stated that the incident took place on the sidelines of a Raksha Bandhan programme organised by the CRPF at the girls’ hostel. “This Raksha Bandhan programme is being held for the past four years, where students tie rakhis on the personnel. This year it was held in collaboration with a media channel,” district official adds.
“The allegation is that some girls went to the toilet during the programme. Two men in uniform met them and said they were to be frisked. One person then touched them. The children told their principal, and a case was registered under Section 354 IPC and POCSO. Once we get statements recorded under Section 164, more sections could be added,” Additional SP (Dantewada) Abhishek Pallava reportedly said.
“If true, stern action will be taken after identification. I met the girls and ordered a five-member panel inquiry. A case has been registered.” reads the statement of Dantewada Collector Saurabh Kumar published in Indian Express (IE).
“The allegations are serious. The investigation has to be done sensibly because the CRPF camp and the hostel are close to each other. While some elements may be like this, trust must not be broken,”an unknown officer was quoted saying by the media.
Furthermore, district Aam Adami Party (AAP) leader Soni Sori claimed that the district administration and the police were hushing up the matter and that she was not allowed to meet the students or the hostel staff.