Nagarkurnool, Telangana – In a shocking incident that has spurred activists into action, a Chenchu tribe woman and her family were brutally attacked in Molachintalapalli village. The attack, intended to subjugate the community’s leader, involved extreme torture over ten harrowing days. This horrific event has ignited a fervent call for justice from human rights advocates and community leaders.

The assault occurred on June 8, 2024, in Molachintalapalli village of the Kolhapur constituency. For ten days, the attackers locked the victims in a house and subjected them to extreme torture, including pouring green chili juice and diesel on the woman's genitals and setting them on fire.

Sujatha Surepally, a professor at Satavahana University and an activist for Dalit women and Telangana's marginalized communities, has initiated a campaign for justice.

The National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL), a network of women leaders from marginalized communities across India, is supporting the campaign. They are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers and demanding comprehensive support for the victims, including medical care, psychological counseling, and financial assistance.

The 25 year old victim, and her husband Katraju Edanna (30), reside in Molachintalapalli village and work with local sand merchant Bandi Venkatesh in the manufacture of filter sand. The victim's elder sister-in-law also works as a daily wage laborer with them. Facing financial struggles and unable to cover food and medical expenses for their three children (aged 7, 6, and 4 years), the victim sought other employment opportunities. This decision enraged Bandi Venkatesh, who, along with his wife Bandi Shivamma, brother Bandi Shiva, and three accomplices, launched a brutal attack on the victim fifteen days ago.

She was confined to her house for ten days, where she was tied up and subjected to unimaginable torture. The attackers crushed green chilies and rubbed the mixture on her genitals.

Unsatisfied with the pain inflicted, they escalated their brutality by wrapping a cloth soaked in diesel around a stick, setting it on fire, and using it to burn her genitals. Throughout this ordeal, the victims were threatened not to report the case.

After three days, locals discovered the victims' plight and alerted the police. The woman was rushed to Nagarkurnool General Hospital, where she is receiving treatment for her severe injuries. The police have initiated an investigation into the incident, and efforts are underway to apprehend all the perpetrators involved in this heinous crime.

Call for Justice

This appalling act of violence has shaken the activists who are rallying for justice and protection for the Chenchu community. They urge immediate action to be taken to apprehend and punish the perpetrators to prevent such atrocities from recurring. The community and human rights organizations are demanding swift and strict action against the accused to ensure justice for the woman and her family.

The National Council of Women Leaders demands:

• Immediate arrest of the accused

• Police protection for the victims

• 10 Lakhs compensation and Rehabilitation with a livelihood

• Investigation to be done by a senior rank Police officer

• Trial to be finished as per the PoA act

• Credible Lawyer to be appointed as Public Prosecutor

• Adequate compensation to the victims

The brutality of this attack has shocked the local and wider community. Activists and supporters are organizing protests and mobilizing public opinion to ensure that justice is served. They emphasize that such violence cannot be tolerated and that systemic measures must be implemented to protect vulnerable communities from future harm.

This case further highlights the broader issue of violence against marginalized communities in India and the need for stronger legal protections and social support systems.

As the investigation continues, the eyes of the nation are on Nagarkurnool, with many hoping that justice will be swift and comprehensive, setting a precedent that such acts of brutality will not be tolerated.