Jharkhand: Sarfaraz Ansari and accomplice attempted to rape tribal woman; pulled her tongue when she resisted

In the region of Jharkhand, specifically in Jamtara, a disturbing event unfolded as two individuals, Sarfaraz Ansari and an accomplice, both from the Muslim community, were apprehended for attempting to sexually assault a woman from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community. This appalling incident occurred on May 12, 2024, when the victim was bathing in a pond.

The accused approached the woman, attempting to take advantage of her vulnerability. When she resisted their advances, they responded with an appalling act of violence, physically assaulting her and, most horrifically, pulling out her tongue. This heinous act of brutality has stirred significant resentment within the ST community.

The incident, which took place in the Karmatand police station area, was met with swift action from the authorities. After the victim’s cries for help alerted nearby villagers, the police were informed and promptly arrived at the scene. Although the accused initially fled, they were eventually caught and taken into custody.

The victim, now unable to speak properly due to her severe injuries, has received support from her community. The case has been registered, and further investigations are currently underway. The opposition party, BJP, has criticised the JMM government for its handling of law and order, suggesting that such incidents are indicative of a larger problem.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against sexual assault and violence, particularly against vulnerable communities. It is a call to action for society and the government to address the systemic issues that allow such heinous acts to occur and to work towards a safer environment for all.

The JMM government has been criticised by the BJP for its handling of law and order in the state, following the appalling incident in Jamtara. Former state Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, expressing his views on X, accused the government of emboldening miscreants like Sarfaraz Ansari. Marandi highlighted a concerning increase in crimes against women, particularly tribal girls, over the past 4 and a half years of the JMM-Congress rule in Jharkhand.

Marandi pointed out the alarming rise in incidents of “Love Jihad” involving tribal girls, as well as horrific crimes where victims were killed by being crushed with vehicles or set on fire. Despite these atrocities, the state government has remained largely silent.

Urging immediate action, Marandi called upon Chief Minister Champai Soren to establish a special police force to address these crimes and to take strict action against the accused. The victim, who is now in a state of physical and mental terror, deserves justice and protection. Initially, the FIR was filed against unknown persons, but both the accused were eventually detained. The case is currently under further investigation, with appropriate legal action to follow.