Another woman alleges gang-rape in troubled Indian state

'Two of the three accused have been arrested,' says senior superintendent.


Afp June 16, 2014
People protest in India against gang rape. PHOTO: AFP

LUCKNOW: A 38-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped at the weekend in a northern Indian state whose government is under fire over a string of sexual attacks, police said Monday.

The woman had gone out shopping for medicine on Friday night when three men lured her to an under-construction house and allegedly attacked her in Uttar Pradesh state, a senior police officer said.

"Two of the three accused have been arrested," senior superintendent LR Kumar told AFP. "We are on a look out for the third offender."

The woman lodged a complaint over the attack with police at the weekend in the town of Bisauli, Badaun district.

Badaun is the same district where two girls, aged 12 and 14, were gang-raped and lynched late last month in an attack that triggered uproar over perceived lawlessness in the state.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, under pressure to resign over the assaults, acknowledged that rapes were a growing problem in his state and his government would work to turn the situation around.

"I firmly believe that the government must sincerely work to make sure such incidents do not happen. The government should be sensitive about these issues," Yadav told AFP in an interview on Sunday.

The families of the two lynched girls refused to cut their bodies down in protest at alleged police inaction, which they said was because they were from a lower caste.

Since then, the media has highlighted a string of other alleged rapes and hangings of women in Uttar Pradesh.

The attacks have sparked protests in the state capital Lucknow and in New Delhi, while women's groups have demanded that Yadav resign.

Uttar Pradesh, with more than 200 million people, is India's most populous state and has long been plagued by poverty, communal violence and caste-based political divisions.

India last year brought in tougher laws against sexual offenders after the fatal gang-rape of a student in Delhi in December 2012, an attack that drew international condemnation of India's treatment of women.

But the legislation, which was also designed to educate and sensitise police on rape cases, has failed to stem the tide of violence.

COMMENTS (6)

Blunt | 9 years ago | Reply

@muriba: Read the news item again and make your home in order, before pointing fingers on others. P.S: It would be nice, if you can please learn some etiquette of public speaking.

Mega | 9 years ago | Reply

The state of UP in india has gone to dogs. With robberies,police officer murders,opposition party killing, newborn kidnapping, woman related violence and what not happening there. The govt is in cahoot with criminals who sponsor their party funds. No action will be taken against them. UP Bihar are notorious states for crimes as law enforcement is lax. And gvt have partnership with goons there.The people of UP have no option but to suffer for two more years under SP party (mulayam+azam khan party) till fresh elections forms new govt. The central govt won't impose presidential rule in their state because for passing bills in rajya sabha they need largest state party's vote. Vicious cycle.

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