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VS asks NCW to probe torture of tribal woman

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 20. The Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, has urged the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson, Purnima Advani, to inquire into the alleged police torture and harassment of Meenakshi, an Adivasi woman, who was taken into custody following the violent eviction of tribals from Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary on February 19.

In a letter to the NWC chairperson, released to the media here today, Mr. Achuthanandan also urged Ms. Advani to take up the matter with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of which she was a member as it was also a case of `blatant' human rights violation.

He has also forwarded a copy of the complaint he had received from Ms. Meenakshi to the NWC chairperson.

Mr. Achuthanandan said Ms. Meenakshi, mother of four children, was taken into custody the day after the police firing at Muthanga as she was returning home after watching TV at a neighbour's house.

The woman had complained that she was tortured while being taken to the police jeep, inside the jeep and at the police station where police personnel trampled on her legs wearing boots. She was also showered with abuses, he said.

The Adivasi woman, Mr. Achuthanandan said, was unable to register a formal complaint with the police regarding the incident because of constant threats. She had stated in her complaint that she could identify the police personnel who had tortured her.

``I am told that the NWC will be enquiring in detail about the police atrocities in connection with the Muthanga police firing. In this connection, I request you to enquire in detail into this incident and recommend to the State Government suitable punitive measures against those who have committed the heinous crime of torturing a poor Adivasi lady,'' the Opposition Leader said.

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