SC/ST panel chief consoles rape victim

Visakhapatnam: Chairman of SC/ST Commission Karem Shivaji visited the King George Hospital to console the tribal minor dumb girl, who was raped, and handed over Rs 2.5 lakh to her here on Thursday. Later, addressing the media, Shivaji termed the rape incident as shameful. 

He said that the commission would provide support to the girl. The government had sanctioned Rs 5 lakh and as a first instalment Rs 2.5 lakh cheque was given to the victim. The commission would recommend to the government to provide a job to her.  

He also said that 261 SC/ST atrocity cases were pending in the state and the commission is taking steps to take action against the accused. Later, the chairman interacted with the Jerripothulapalem SC victims and assured them that the commission would render justice to them.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Dumb and Deaf Associations, AIDWA, AP Girijana Sangham, National Federation of Multi-Disabled People staged a dharna demanding the government take stringent action against the accused in the tribal girl rape case.

General secretary of National Federation of Dumb and Deaf Associations V Chandrasekhar alleged that there is no security to the physically challenged persons in the state. He demanded that the government provide job and financial support to the victim.

If the government had failed to look after her welfare, the federation would launch agitation, he warned. AIDWA leaders Botta Eswaramma, V Laxmi Ch Sumithra and Dakshayani and Girijana Sangam leader Appala Naidu and Prudvi also spoke.