CPM Protests over Dharamsala Student’s Death

Dharamsala: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here over the death of a 19-year-old college student in Dharamsala, allegedly following ragging and sexual harassment. The party demanded an impartial investigation into the case and strict action against all those responsible.

During the protest, CPM workers raised slogans against the state government and accused the police of inaction. The party also urged the government to take concrete steps to prevent sexual violence and physical abuse against students and women. It called for the constitution of Gender Sensitisation Committees Against Sexual Harassment in educational institutions and strict action against police personnel who allegedly refused to register an FIR in the case.

Addressing the gathering, CPM state secretary Sanjay Chauhan said the death of the student, Pallavi, had shaken the entire state. He alleged that the victim’s parents had attempted to lodge a complaint with the police on two occasions, but were turned away on the grounds that the girl was unwell and her statement would be recorded after her recovery.

Chauhan said Pallavi had been suffering from depression for nearly two to two-and-a-half months and was undergoing treatment, but died on December 26. He held the state government and the police responsible, alleging that timely action against the accused could have saved her life.

Former Theog MLA and senior CPM leader Rakesh Singha said incidents of rape and physical violence against students and women were rising sharply in Himachal Pradesh. He accused the government and police of failing to curb such crimes and demanded immediate and effective preventive measures.

The CPM warned that it would launch a statewide mass movement if the government failed to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation into the case.

Read Also : Collective Efforts Needed to Protect Youth from Drug Abuse: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla