The state of Jharkhand is facing a crisis as it deals with two separate gang-rape incidents reported in Dumka district within a span of just 48 hours. The incidents have brought the spotlight back on the safety and security of women, despite government initiatives aimed at their empowerment.
The first incident took place in the Raneshwar police station area, where a group of eight men, including four minors, attacked two teenage girls returning from a fair after the Durga Puja celebrations. Reports indicate that one of the girls was molested, while the other was subjected to a gang rape in a secluded location.
Police swiftly responded to the reports, detaining all eight suspects, including the minors, and initiating an investigation. The victim received medical attention, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.
A second, equally disturbing incident occurred in the Hansdiha police station area a day earlier. A young woman was lured to a Dandiya Night event under the pretense of dancing. There, she was gang-raped by three men. The assailants bound her hands and feet and even recorded a video of the assault, threatening to share it if she reported the crime.
After the victim’s condition deteriorated, the attackers left her. She later found the courage to report the incident to the police, who arrested the three perpetrators and seized the video evidence.
These events have reignited concerns regarding law enforcement and the protection of women in Jharkhand. The government’s efforts to economically empower women are contrasted by the reality of escalating violence, painting a grim picture of the safety challenges faced by women in the state.