NCW demands CBI probe into Bhatta-Parsaul incident

The National Commission for Women has sought a detailed probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the Bhatta-Parsaul incidents in Greater Noida.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a detailed probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Bhatta-Parsaul incidents in Greater Noida.

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"During my interactions with the affected women of the area, I was told that a systematic destruction of evidence is going on at Bhatta Parsaul where there are allegations that many people have been burnt to death besides unspeakable atrocities on women," said Yashmin Abrar, acting chairperson, NCW. Many women have also alleged that they were paraded naked by policemen and had been threatened to keep quiet about it.

"Prima facie there are many allegations of cognizable offences. So we have requested that a detailed probe be undertaken by the CBI."

"On Monday, we will form a 11-member team comprising a retired judge, lawyers, civil society activists and others to conduct an on the spot investigation in the affected villages."

Based on its spot visit on May 12, NCW had prepared a seven-page preliminary report that has been submitted to the Prime Minister.

"Among the main issues recorded in the report, We have dwelt on the spectre of fear that haunts the people there, requested an immediate CBI inquiry, lodging of FIRs, location of the missing, and deployment of policewomen," Abrar said.

Reacting to reports that a Central Forensic Sciences Lab in Uttar Pradesh had rejected the presence of human bones from the ashes brought in as samples from the area, the chairperson said: "We are not satisfied with it."

Asked what she thought of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of rape and torching of people, Abrar said not to bring in any political party into the episode. But she didn't hold back when it came to attacking the UP government saying Mayawati, whose ancestral village is located just 15 km away has made no effort to visit the affected area to comprehend the "pain of the women there".