Intervene into death

SHILLONG, JULY 7: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) sought the intervention of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) into the mysterious death of a tribal woman inside a toilet attached to the Dispur police station and also demanded compensation from the Assam government.

“We request that the matter is taken up with the Assam government to provide compensation to the family of Victoria Kharkongor, who the police have alleged committed suicide inside the wash room of the Dispur police station on the night of July 5,” CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said in a letter to the MSCW chairperson Theilin Phanbuh on Tuesday.

She said the CSWO urged the commission to assist the family to be able to get the post mortem report, inquest report and the 48 hours report of the police as soon as possible.”

Kharshiing also informed that the relatives of the deceased had informed that Victoria had called home o tell them she is returning to Shillong from Hyderabad.

As per reports the lady was found loitering in a restless manner in the International Hospital at Dispur, Guwahati at about 8.30 pm on July 5 and the attendant security informed the local police station, she said adding that the Dispur police brought the lady to the police station at about 9.30 pm and did not take her for medical examination till the time 10.20 pm after which she is alleged to have committed suicide.

Alleging that there are various lapses on the part of the Dispur police, Kharshiing pointed out, “The police first of all have taken a woman to a police station at night. They have also alleged that she is mentally not sound and failed to take her for medical examination to determine her state of mind. Her relative were also not immediately informed as is the procedure when a person is detained.”

“Instead of providing help to the lady they have detained her in the police station which led to her death in strange circumstances,” Kharshiing added.

She further stated, “There are also report of cause of death being rape and murder and this demands an enquiry to find out the cause of death of Victoria in Dispur police station.” CSWO also condemned the action of Dispur police who have failed to protect woman in the Police Station, which has led to her death.-By Our Reporter