In Jharkhand, panchayat thrashes tribal woman for refusing to marry kin’s choice

DALTONGANJ: The Paton police in Palamu on Monday rescued a 24-year-old tribal woman, who was tortured by a panchayat for refusing to marry a man of her family’s choice, in a highly traumatised state from a forest area.
The officer-in-charge of the police station, Gulshan Gaurav, said, “Highly traumatised and in deep shock, the 24-year-old woman was found sitting under a tree.Her hair was chopped off. She was initially treated at the Paton community health centre and referred to the Medinirai Medical College Hospital in Daltonganj.”
Dr R K Ranjan of the hospital said, “The woman looked emaciated. She was traumatized but her vital signs were found to be stable. Some basic tests were suggested. The reports will be available by late evening.”
Gaurav further said, “On Sunday, a panchayat of 200 men and women was organised at Jogadeeh under the Paton police station. The panchayat ordered her hair to be cut and sent her out of the village.”. He added, “The panchayat’s decision came after the woman refused to marry the man her two brothers had chosen for her. She lost her parents years ago.”
Police said following a brawl at home, the girl had gone out and remained traceless for more than a fortnight. The panchayat was called after she came back on Sunday. “She was thrashed and her locks of hair were chopped off. Frustrated and helpless, she moved inside the forest on Sunday,” the police officer said.
Police came to know about the incident on Monday. “We rescued the girl after a few hours of search,” Gaurav said, adding, “We are waiting for her recovery to record a statement, following which an FIR would be registered.”