An FIR in this case was registered by Chhattisgarh Police on Tuesday and investigation is underway. (Representational Image)
One of the two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel accused of molesting school girls in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Raksha Bandha has been arrested, security officials told The Indian Express on Wednesday. The other accused is absconding and a warrant has been issued against him.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Bastar), Sundarraj P, told news agency ANI that action will be taken against the accused if found guilty. “Strong action will be taken against those who will be found guilty, further investigation is underway,” he said.
The incident came to light after protests erupted over the alleged molestation of school girls in Palnar village of the district. The alleged incident took place on July 31 on the sidelines of a Raksha Bandhan programme organised by the CRPF at the girls’ hostel. “This Raksha Bandhan programme is being held for the past four years, where students tie rakhis to the personnel. This year it was held in collaboration with a media channel,” a district official said.
According to Additional SP (Dantewada), the girl students claimed that when they went to the toilet during the programme, two men in uniform said they were to be frisked and one personnel touched them inappropriately. A case has been registered under Section 354 IPC and POCSO. Dantewada Collector Saurabh Kumar told The Indian Express, “True, stern action will be taken after identification. I met the girls and ordered a five-member panel inquiry. A case has been registered.”
