An accused named Sarfaraz Ansari and his accomplice have been arrested in Jharkhand’s Jamtara for attempting to rape a woman who hails from the tribal community (Scheduled Tribes). As per reports, two youths from the Muslim community who are accused in this case, approached the victim when she was bathing in a pond. They attempted to sexually assault the victim, which she vehemently resisted. Enraged by the victim’s resistance, the accused physically assaulted her and pulled her tongue out.

The police have registered a case in this matter and further investigation is underway. Both the accused have been taken into custody. The incident, which took place on Sunday (12th May 2024), created a lot of resentment amongst the ST community. The principal opposition party, BJP, slammed the JMM government over the issue of law and order and accused it of emboldening the hooligans.

This horrific incident has deeply shocked the local community, sparking outrage and fear. The brutality of the attack has raised significant concerns about the safety and security of women, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalized groups. The need for effective measures to ensure the protection of women in rural areas has become a pressing issue.

In the wake of this attack, there have been calls from various community leaders and activists for swift and stringent action against the perpetrators. The local authorities have assured the public of a thorough investigation and promised that justice will be served. The community's demand for accountability and justice is clear, and there is a growing insistence on improving law enforcement to prevent such atrocities in the future.

The BJP's criticism of the JMM government's handling of law and order reflects broader concerns about governance and the protection of citizens' rights. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for policies and practices that effectively address and mitigate violence against women, especially in rural and tribal areas.

According to media reports, the incident took place in the Karmatand police station area of Jamtara. On Sunday, the victim was bathing in the pond between 12 noon and 1 pm. Then, Sarfaraz Ansari, a resident of Lawadih village, reached there with one of his companions. He found the victim alone and attempted to rape her. The victim protested against the advances of the accused and made loud cries for help. Angered by this, Sarfaraz and his accomplice brutally assaulted the victim.

It is alleged that he threw her on the ground, put his hand in her mouth, and pulled out her tongue. After strenuous resistance by the victim, the accused fled from the spot after issuing threats. The accused Sarfaraz lives in the victim’s neighbouring village. Following the incident, the victim ran towards her village and narrated her ordeal to the villagers. The victim is unable to speak properly because her tongue has been pulled out.

After receiving information about the incident, police reached the spot. Initially, both the accused absconded but the police later apprehended them.

On Monday, senior district BJP leader Virendra Mandal revealed this incident by organizing a press conference in his residential office. Expressing his anger, he said that the police administration should not be allowed to take any action under the pressure of the MLA. He stated that the police have good information about both the accused from Nawadih and Tetuliatand villages of the same police station area, but under the pressure of the MLA, the police are registering the case by making unknown people the accused.

He accused the MLA of dirty politics, stating that because of this, the identity of tribal women in the Jamtara assembly constituency and the safety of people in tribal villages are in danger. Virendra Mandal said that the two youths who tried to rape the tribal woman are being identified. He mentioned that the name of one of them has come out, and the name of the other will also be revealed soon. He expressed regret over the police's action in this heinous incident. He stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has always been at the forefront of protecting the honor of tribal citizens and they will never allow such plans to be fulfilled. Virendra Mandal also said that the model code of conduct has to be followed, so they are not taking any big steps right now, but they want to warn the police administration to take appropriate action promptly in this serious matter. Otherwise, they will be forced to legally protest and surround the police station.

Slamming the JMM government, the BJP described the incident as a failure of law and order by the state government. Taking to X, former state Chief Minister Babulal Marandi wrote, "Hemant Soren has only emboldened miscreants like Sarfaraz Ansari during his rule. In the last 4 and a half years, during the JMM-Congress rule in Jharkhand, the incidents of crime against women, especially tribal girls, have increased significantly."

He pointed out that the state has witnessed incidents of Love Jihad with tribal girls, incidents where tribal girls were torched by pouring petrol on them, and cases where the victims were killed by being crushed with vehicles. Yet, the state government remains silent in these cases.

He demanded that the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren, should form a special police force and take strict action against the accused. He described the victim as being in physical and mental terror. It is said that initially, an FIR in this case was registered against unknown persons. Later, both the accused were detained. Further investigation and other legal action are being taken in the matter.