House and MGNREGA job for Birbhum gang-rape victim

With villagers opposing her return, the tribal girl allegedly gang raped on the order of a kangaroo court in Birbhum district would be provided a job under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme and a house by the state government near her village.

The house under the Indira Awas Yojana was being constructed in a locality near her village, as its residents were opposed to her return, West Bengal Women and Child Welfare minister Shashi Panja said on Saturday, adding that she has been provided police protection.

"We have spoken to the girl. She earlier used to work as a daily labourer and we had thought of providing her a job. But as the criteria of educational qualifications didn't match, so she has agreed to work under MGNREGA scheme," Panja said at the sidelines of a BSF program in Kolkata.

The 20-year-old girl who was allegedly gang raped on January 21 by 13 people, including the community chief, was discharged from hospital on Friday and was sent to a state-run home for the destitute.

"We are in constant touch with the girl so that she can be provided with all kind of help," she said adding the girl was also provided police protection.

The alleged rape took place after the girl expressed inability to pay Rs 25,000 as fine for being in a relationship with a man from another community.

She had appeared before Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate Pijush Ghosh, Bolpur to record her statement under CrPC 164 on January 30.

The 13 accused, including the 'morol' (community head) Balai Mardy, were in police custody for 13 days since January 23.