DEHRADUN: The Congress party has staged a statewide protest in Uttarakhand, denouncing the brutal rape and murder of a nurse in Rudrapur.
The party is calling for the capital punishment of the accused and criticising the BJP government for its alleged failure to ensure women's safety in the state.
"Instead of merely pretending to be sensitive towards women's issues, the BJP should focus on implementing concrete measures for their safety," said Garima Mahara Dasouni, Congress’ Chief Spokesperson. "We demand that the accused be hanged for this heinous crime."
Protests were held outside the SSP office by Women Congress members, who demanded the death penalty for the accused in the nurse murder case. They submitted a petition to Superintendent of Police Manoj Katyayal, who assured them that a thorough investigation is underway and that the accused will face severe punishment.
The incident dates back to July 30, when a 32-year-old nurse, residing in Bilaspur Colony, went missing. Her sister reported her disappearance on July 31 at the Rudrapur police station. Following the complaint, police reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that the nurse was last seen near her colony on the evening of July 30. Her decomposed body was subsequently discovered in a vacant plot near her residence, identified by her clothing.
Garima Dasouni said, "While questioning the Mamata Banerjee government on women's safety in Kolkata is warranted, BJP leaders and spokespersons remain conspicuously silent on heinous crimes against women in states under their governance."
BJP National Spokesperson Pratyush Kant on Friday attacked the Mamata Banerjee government over the rape and murder of a female medical Doctor at RG Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Dasouni criticised BJP's national spokespersons for not condemning the recent rape and murder of a nurse in Udhamsingh Nagar and the gang rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Haridwar's Bahadurabad. "BJP's silence on these heinous crimes speaks volumes," she said.
Dasouni reminded the BJP of its leaders' involvement in notorious cases like Hathras, Unnao, Kathua, and Uttarakhand's Ankita Bhandari murder. "The BJP's silence on these crimes is deafening," she said, questioning the party's commitment to women's safety.
Dasouni criticised the state government for not initiating a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, despite public demand. In contrast, a CBI inquiry was recommended within three days for a similar case in Kolkata.
Dasouni said, "Women's safety is a grave and sensitive issue, not a football to be kicked into the opponent's court, allowing the BJP to shirk its responsibilities."