Unnao rape victim laid to rest in native village amid tight security

The 23-year-old woman, who succumbed at a Delhi hospital on Friday night after being set on fire by men whom she accused of raping her, was laid to rest at her native village in Unnao on Sunday (December 8) amidst tight security arrangements.

A large number of local residents and officials were present. Villagers from all walks of life paid their respects to the departed soul before the body was taken for the last rites. Samajwadi Party leaders, UP Cabinet ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Kamal Rani Varun were also present.

“The government is with the aggrieved family,” Maurya said. “The slogan of Beti Padhao, Beti Bachaao is meaningful. We stand with the aggrieved family in the hour of grief and will ensure that the accused get stringent punishment,” said Kamal Rani Varun.

Also read: Unnao rape victim’s body reaches her village; father vows to fight for justice

Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan expressed concern over the law and order situation. “The law and order scenario in the state has significantly deteriorated in the state. Today, girls are not feeling secure and their FIRs are not being registered. The government of Yogi Adityanath must tender its resignation,” he said.

Local Congress leader and former Unnao MP Annu Tandon in a tweet on Sunday said, “We said our goodbyes to the daughter who has found eternal peace and ensured eternal security…And the fight for justice continues…” Speaking to reporters outside the residence of the victim, she said, “People want that her death should not go in vain, and she should get justice.” Tandon also gave a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the aggrieved family.

The family members of the victim agreed to perform her last rites following a negotiation with Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Mukesh Meshram and other senior police officials. After a series of demand a lengthy negotiations, Meshram assured the family members will be provided security and a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Also read: Protesters heckle BJP ministers, MP at Unnao rape victim’s village

Earlier, the sister of the victim also demanded a government job for her and demanded that all the five men in the case should be awarded capital punishment. While the officials stated that it was the court that can award capital punishment, she questioned, “who will make rounds to the court?”

Similarly, the victim’s father said, the five accused in the rape should be gunned down like Hyderabad case, where four people accused of raping and murdering a 26-year-old veterinarian were shot by Telangana police.

The sister of the deceased rape victim had earlier said her family will not perform the last rites unless Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrives in her village and assures of strict action against the accused.

(With inputs from agencies)