Cops: Tribal women atoned on their own

 On April 7, video went viral where women were seen on street, performing ritual that entails repeatedly prostrating and getting up

Representational image: File picture

Kousik Sen   |   TT  |  Raiganj   |  21.04.23 : The four tribal women who performed the ritual of “dandi” as an act of atonement in Balurghat earlier this month did it on their own and had not registered complaints against anybody, said a report filed by the South Dinajpur district police to the National Commission for Women.

On April 7, a video went viral where the tribal women were seen on a street, performing the ritual that entails repeatedly prostrating and getting up. It was alleged that Pradipta Chakraborty, the then district chief of the Trinamul women’s wing, forced them to “atone” for defecting to the BJP when they were with Trinamul.

After the ritual, they were re-inducted into Mamata Banerjee’s party.

As the incident came to light, there were repercussions across the state withBJP and tribal leaders condemning the act. Thousands of tribal people took part in a 12-hour statewide strike last Monday, demanding Pradipta’s arrest.

The report filed by the police to the commission states that a deputy superintendent of police is probing the case.

“It says the police spoke with all of them and they clearly asserted that no one forced them. They performed the ritual on their own as they felt atonement was necessary. Also, the report includes recorded statements of three eyewitnesses who mentioned that they only saw the women and no one else at the location of the ritual,” said a source privy to the report.

The police have mentioned that after the incident a person filed a complaint with Tapan police, based on which an investigation was done and two persons were arrested.

“The probe is still in progress. The police are checking video footage,” the source added.

Tribal leaders reacted sharply to the police report. “Everybody is aware of the incident and the involvement of a woman Trinamul leader in it. It is surprising that the police have such a report. Let us make it clear that if the women, who faced the atrocity, do not get justice, we will resume our movement,” said Bibhuti Tudu, a leader of Adivasi Sengal Abhiyan.

Leaders of the saffron camp, including the BJP’s state president and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar, have accused Trinamul of being anti-tribal after the incident.

On Thursday, Majumdar scoffed at the police.

“The (police) report is contradictory. If the tribal women don’t have any complaints and they did it (the atonement) on their own, why did the police arrest two persons?” the BJP leader asked. 

he state BJP chief continued: “It is evident that the police are trying to shield the woman Trinamul leader (implying Chakraborty). We want a team of the National Commissionof Scheduled Tribes to come here and conduct a probe. Only then will the truth be revealed.    

Chakraborty was removed as the district women’s wing chief soon after the atonement incident and tribal leader Snehalata Hembram was put in the post.

Trinamul leaders, on the other hand, said the BJPwas playing politics over the issue.

“The police are conducting an inquiry in an impartial manner. We are not hereto shield anybody. Also,those arrested over the incident should face legal consequences,” Mrinal Sarkar, the district Trinamul president, said.

On Thursday, police officers of the district refused to comment on the issue. “Investigations are in progress,” said an officer.