In response to a horrific gang rape incident involving three migrant women at a Dera in Panipat, the Haryana State Women Commission (HSWC) is calling for heightened security measures.
The incident, which highlights the deteriorating state of law and order, was exacerbated by the absence of electricity and CCTV surveillance, allowing the perpetrators to evade capture.
HSWC, which has personally met the victims, urges all Dera owners in Haryana to install CCTV cameras and secure electricity connections to prevent future incidents. Until these measures are in place, accommodations for laborers working in farms should be provided within the village to ensure their safety. Haryana has thousands of Deras established by farmers, acting as living accommodations for numerous laborers, particularly migrants. Many of these workers hail from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of HSWC, emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating that district DCs and SPs should guarantee Dera owners’ adherence to these security upgrades.
Until compliance, Bhatia insists on village-based accommodations for laborers. She stated, “Dera owners also bear some responsibility for nighttime safety.” Non-compliance within a specified period would invite necessary actions. This incident has understandably instilled fear in surrounding Deras, many of which already lack essential amenities. Further intensifying concerns, the police disclosed that the culprits were armed with knives and other sharp weapons. They restrained the household before assaulting the women and robbing them. In a separate but proximate incident, a woman was fatally attacked, deepening concerns about security in the area.