TRIPURA | TWO CHAKMA SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS GIVEN COMPENSATON PURSUANT TO NHRC INTERVENTION

Описание: On 14 May 2022, two minor Chakma girls, aged 13 and 14 years, were gang raped by several persons in a village under Pecharthal Police Station in Unakoti district, Tripura. However, the two sexual assault survivors were not provided compensation by the authorities even after more than a year as per the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) relating to Victims' Compensation Scheme.

Further, the case was initially attempted to be settled by the village panchayat/Customary court.
Upon receiving information about the matter from a social worker , a complaint was filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by Tejang Chakma for payment of compensation to the two victims.

Acting on the complaint, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate and Collector, Unakoti district to take the necessary action by associating the victims/complainant.

On 16 August 2023, the DM & Collector, Unakoti district informed the complainant that the necessary steps being initiated by the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to provide interim compensation of Rs. 10,000 to each of the two victims and full compensation will be provided to them under the Tripura Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/Other Crimes Act, 2018.

This case shows that there is a lack of awareness of the Tripura Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/Other Crimes Act, 2018 and the POCSO Act including by the police/authorities.

It is also unfortunate that serious crimes like gang-rape of minor girls are being tried to be settled at panchayat level/customary court, which are not competent. In this case, there was delay in reporting the matter to police as attempts were made to settle at panchayat level/customary court. There is a serious risk of losing vital evidence due to delay in reporting to police.