Tension gripped Ratanpur town in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district as citizens, traders, and Hindu organizations staged a 'bandh' in protest against the arrest of a rape survivor's mother. The arrest was made after a relative of the alleged rapist filed a complaint accusing the mother of sexually abusing her minor son. The incident sparked outrage, leading to a show of solidarity and condemnation by local residents.
The case dates back to March when a 19-year-old woman filed a rape complaint against a local man, resulting in his arrest and imprisonment. The accused's uncle, a corporator, allegedly exerted pressure on the victim and her mother to withdraw the case. According to reports, the corporator threatened the mother-daughter duo with false charges.
On May 19, a relative of the accused filed a complaint accusing the rape survivor's mother of sexual abuse, prompting the police to register a case under the POCSO Act and arrest her. In response to the arrest, local residents staged protests at the police station, symbolically offering bangles.
Subsequently, a 'bandh' was called by citizens, traders, and Hindu organizations to express solidarity with the rape survivor's mother. The situation remained peaceful, with no reports of violence. The local police have taken measures to address the sensitivity of the issue by line-attaching the police station in-charge and forming a team to investigate the matter.
Authorities assured that police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to maintain order, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bilaspur stated that the situation is under control.
