Barmer rape victim cremated, BJP delegation meets aggrieved family

The victim's family refused to take the body alleging that the police misbehaved and threatened them with dire consequences. They demanded the removal of two policemen, including a DSP, and demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation and a government job to the kin of the deceased.

Jaipur: The funeral rites of a Dalit woman, who was raped and set ablaze by a man in Barmer of Rajasthan, were conducted by her kin on Sunday after authorities concerned assured of all help by the government. While a BJP delegation paid a visit to the victim's residence to console the bereaved family. It may be recalled that the 30-year-old woman, a mother of two, sustained 50 per cent burn injuries and breathed her last at the government hospital in Jodhpur on Friday.

On Saturday, the woman's family refused to take the body alleging that the police misbehaved and threatened them with dire consequences. They demanded the removal of two policemen, including a DSP, and demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation and a government job to the kin of the deceased. "The victim's kin agreed to post-mortem after they were assured that they will be provided maximum benefits under all government schemes," said Barmer Additional District Magistrate Avnish Panwar. The autopsy was conducted late on Saturday night at Mathura Das Hospital in Jodhpur. Later, the woman's mortal remains were taken to Balotra in Barmer where the last rites were performed on Sunday morning, he said.

Meanwhile, a three-member BJP delegation comprising Pali MP PP Chaudhary, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Satish Poonia and Jalore MLA Jogeshwar Garg met the family members of the victim in Barmer and expressed their condolences. Addressing a press conference, Jaipur Rural MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore alleged that women are not safe in Rajasthan and they cannot expect security from the Congress government.

"Women are not safe in the state and at the same time people cannot expect security from this government as it is busy pleasing its bosses. This government had failed to stand with its people," the BJP leader pointed out. Rathore alleged the Congress government was indulging in "appeasement politics" by ignoring the sentiments of the majority.

The people of Rajasthan are watching like mute spectators and they will teach a befitting lesson in the ensuing Assembly elections later this year. The woman was raped and set ablaze by her neighbour Shakoor Khan when she was alone at her house on April 6. Khan, who hails from the same village as the victim, poured an acid-like substance on her before setting her on fire, according to the police. The police further stated that the accused has been arrested.