Women stage roadblock demanding quack’s release

Malda: Hundreds of women of Malda’s Chhatiangachhi village have been on the warpath, demanding immediate release of a quack, held for performing an illegal abortion on a teenage mentally challenged girl, who was allegedly raped. The reason? The quack is the only medical practitioner in miles. The girl, a resident of Stationpara in Malda’s Habibpur, was allegedly raped by her neighbour. On April 20, when it was found that she was pregnant, villagers took her to Ratan Pal, a village quack. However, acting on a complaint, police arrested Pal and the alleged rapist. On April 22, he was produced in court, which sent him to 14 days’ jail custody. Two days later, hundreds of women blocked the highway, demanding Pal’s release. They continued with the protest near Bulbulchandi station till late in the evening, paralyzing traffic movement. They lifted the roadblock, but vowed to intensify their agitation if Pal was not released soon. “As there is no immediate hope of Pal’s release, we fear the agitation might resurface any time,” said a police officer. TNN