Women call for swift action against perpetrators of violence

KATHMANDU, Jan 1: Two women were injured in an intervention by the police during a demonstration in the capital on Monday by a sister-organization of CPN-UML. Former Parliamentarian Sushila Nepal sustained injury to her chest and Shanti Shrestha to her hands as the police used force to prevent the mass from gathering at the main road at Bhadrakali.

The protest rally was led by All Nepal Women´s Association to pressure the government to take prompt action against perpetrators of the recent cases of violence against women. [break]

Talking to Republica, the association´s spokesperson Shanti Adhikari informed that the injuries the two women sustained were not serious and that both of them are now in normal condition.

A protest program at Bhadrakali. (Photo: Bijay Gajmer)

Adhikari expressed sadness at the political parties´ lack of seriousness toward the alarming rise in the cases of violence against women.

“The male leaders of our party ask us to raise the voice as if it does not concern them,” she said, adding that the case is same with all other parties. “Victims need justice. The culprits should be punished. Giving compensation to the victims of torture, rape, attempt to murder or murder will not solve the matter,” Adhikari stressed.

Following continues coverage of the cases related to Sita Rai, Saraswati Subedi and Siba Hasmi, among others, in the media, and massive protest programs and sit-ins before his residence, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Sunday directed the security officials to investigate the cases and book the perpetrators.

While Rai was robbed and allegedly raped by airport officials, Subedi of Dhading district was allegedly murdered at a house in Anamnagar, and Hasmi of Bardiya distirct was burnt to death.

Few women who complained of uneasiness were hustled. (Photo: Bijay Gajmer)

Meanwhile, taking to Republica, spokesperson at Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range Dhiraj Pratap Singh said that the police is still investigating Subedi´s murder.

The deceased´s father Khadka Pradad Adhikari has claimed that his daughter did not commit suicide but was murdered by the owners of the house where she was found dead.

“We have arrested 50-year-old Krishna Prasad Prasain, 42-year-old Sabitri Prasain and 18-year-old Prachhepad Prasain for investigation. We will dig out the truth,” he said. Subedi was found dead in the bathroom of Prasain´s house on December 15.