The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported attempt to rape and murder a tribal woman in Jainoor town, Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. The incident, which occurred on August 31, 2024, has led to severe communal tensions and violence in the region, with protests organized by tribal communities, escalating into arson and destruction of property.
The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Telangana, seeking a comprehensive report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to cover the status of the FIR, the health condition of the victim, the provision of counselling, and the compensation extended to her by the State authorities.
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported attempt to rape and murder a woman escalates into a situation of communal tension and violence amidst protest by the tribal organizations in Jainoor town of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. pic.twitter.com/auKiXElFME
— NHRC India (@India_NHRC) September 10, 2024
The incident occurred when a 45-year-old tribal woman was reportedly lured into an auto-rickshaw by the accused, Shaik Magdoom, under the guise of taking her to Soyamguda village. When the auto reached near Raghavapur, the driver allegedly attempted to sexually assault the woman. Upon her resistance, he violently struck her with a stick and left her unconscious, assuming she was dead, before fleeing the scene.
The victim, after regaining consciousness, managed to crawl to the main road where she was assisted by passersby and rushed to the Jainoor health care unit, before being transferred to RIMS in Adilabad and later to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad due to the severity of her injuries.
Communal Unrest and Violence
Following the incident, angered tribal organizations took to the streets, demanding justice for the victim. Protests led to the burning of shops and commercial establishments after provocation from the opposite section, while a religious site was reportedly pelted with stones, further inflaming the situation. The administration had to impose a curfew and suspend internet services in the region to prevent the spread of communal unrest through social media. Additional police forces were deployed to control the escalating violence.
NHRC’s Response
In response to media reports on September 5, 2024, the NHRC has expressed concern over the violation of human rights in the matter. The Commission has requested a detailed report from the state’s top officials, including the status of the ongoing investigation, updates on the victim’s health, and the state’s efforts to provide psychological counselling and financial compensation to her.
The NHRC’s intervention follows the arrest of the accused auto-rickshaw driver, Shaik Magdoom, who faces charges of attempted rape, attempted murder, and violations under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
The NHRC has urged the Telangana government to take immediate action to restore peace and ensure justice for the victim. The outcome of the report, expected within two weeks, will likely determine further actions by the Commission in addressing this serious violation of human rights.
The situation in Jainoor remains tense, but the deployment of additional forces has helped bring relative calm to the area. Protests continue, with tribal leaders vowing to intensify their demands for justice until the accused is held accountable under the full extent of the law.
According to reports, police have arrested 16 individuals, who have been remanded, with some sent to Adilabad and others to Karimnagar jail. Authorities are continuing their efforts to trace the remaining accused through CCTV footage, while some suspects remain at large. Vehicular traffic has been restricted in Adilabad, Utnoor, and Asifabad districts. The police have taken full control of the situation and are restricting the outside vehicular movement to Jainoor.
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