The Nyoma police on May 17 arrested a 36 year-old doctor for allegedly molesting a teenage girl under the pretext of examining her.

 

The victim told the volunteer teacher at Nyoma about it, who later complained to the police. A molestation case FIR no. 5 under Section 354 A & 354 B was registered on May 16. The alleged accused is the head of NRHM and posted in Primary Health Centre Nyoma from the last three years. He has been charged with molestation and outraging a woman’s modesty.

The incident came to light when the girl student shared the story with the volunteer teacher about the doctor who has touched her in a very unusual and indecent manner while examining.  After a series of enquiry by the teacher, it was found that as many as 20 students also faced the similar situation and the molestation has been happening since from the year 2016.

Talking about the status of the case, Udaya Bhaskar Billa, SSP, Leh said, “The girls have already given their statement to the court and we are waiting for the statement of the magistrate, after which the charge sheet will be filed.” 

He further added that the department will be ensuring all the needed safety and security to the witnesses. 

 “It is very unfortunate that the crime has been happening since from last one year but due to lack of awareness the girls were not able to understand whether it was a crime or not.” He stressed on the importance to spread awareness and impart the moral education along with the academics in schools and colleges”, he said. 

He appealed people to report police about such cases so that the crimes are not encouraged in our society.

The doctor has been molesting the girls from the last one year but nobody took the courage to complain about him. They were also scared of being judged by the people. 

When asked few victims on the incident, one girl said, “The incident happened in October 2016, when I visited the doctor for a checkup and he touched me inappropriately. I never had the courage to speak about it to anyone because I find it very humiliating and chose not to speak about it.”

Students and people from various parts of the Changthang region took out a peaceful protest rally and demanded a strict and immediate action against the culprit on May 20 in Nyoma. The rally was organised by Student Association for Village Education (SAVE). 

 

Condemning the heinous crime, Tsewang Dolma, LBA President said, “A molestation of student by a doctor in a far-flung village is not a small case and this cannot be tolerated by every Ladakhi”.

Talking about the case, she questioned the administration about the safety and security of woman in the society. Appealing the people to be aware of one’s right and duties, she further asked all the villagers to stand and raise voice against any social evils in order to make the society safe for the women. 

President, Student Association for Village Education (SAVE) said, “I have been volunteering in the school from the last three months and shared a close bonding with the students. One of the girl students shared the incident with me as she was not aware whether it was wrong or not. Later we came to know that other girls have also gone through the same situation. The time has come to unite and raise voice against such incident at the right time and it shouldn’t be neglected as it encourages more people to commit such crime”.

 She further appealed people to support and stand against such crime before it’s too late.  

All Religious Joint Action Committee, Leh also hold a press conference on May 25 at LBA office, Chowkhang Vihara, Leh.  The Joint Action Committee demanded the administration and government to charge the culprit with the highest degree of punishment and to terminate from his job with an immediate effect. 

A memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti by All Religious Joint Action Committee, Leh asking to take strict action against him. 

It reads, “A mechanism has to be in place by the local government to ensure safety and security of the women and girl children to win their confidence.”

When asked about the effectiveness of the protest and submission of Memorandum every time after a case in our society, PT Kunzang, LBA, Vice President said, “We are following the standard procedure; this is how a protest is shown formally to wake up concerned officials. The most important thing is to follow up the case in an effective way.”

Responding to the queries on strict follow up of the past crime cases, Ashraf Ali Barcha, President Anjuman Imamia said, “ Someday or the other, the stakeholders need to have an answer about all the cases.  As a social organisation, our responsibility is to bring the illegal cases in front of the authority and the people.”

The court has taken the statement of the 10 victims and the warden. The culprit is under judicial remand and has applied for bail on May 20 before the court.