NEW DELHI: Bihar minister Shrawon Kumar has drawn criticism for describing the harassment of a minor girl in Bihar’s Jamui as ‘Chhitputh’ (isolated) incident while asserting that the world is not entirely free from crime.He said, “These isolated incidents happen. Those who commit such acts in Bihar cannot escape; strict action has been taken against them in the past as well.”The remarks came after the assault and groping of the girl, who was returning from a coaching class with a male friend, came to light through a video that went viral on social media. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident, while police have arrested three people and formed a special investigation team to identify and apprehend others involved.JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha also called the incident ‘chhitputh’ asserting that law-and-order situation was far worse in the state before 2005, when the NDA came to power, triggering a political row.“When such ‘isolated/minor (chhitput ghatna)’ incidents happen, our administration takes quick action. But one should recall what was the state of affairs on the law and order front before 2005, when people used to live under fear and nobody used to venture out,” Kushwaha said while talking to reporters.
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Tejashwi attacks JD(U) RJD leader and state LoP Tejashwi Prasad Yadav criticised Kushwaha for describing the incident as isolated and called it a “blot” on Bihar.“It is really sad they are calling the assault on the girl and boy as isolated. Had the same happened with any family member of any leader, would they have said the same thing? The harassment incident is shameful,” Yadav said.Yadav alleged that “goonda raj” was prevailing in Bihar and accused the state government of attempting to suppress incidents instead of taking action against those responsible.
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He also questioned the government’s claims about women’s safety in the state, saying the Jamui incident showed that girls were not safe despite assertions that women could move around freely during the day and at night.
