This Article is From Feb 27, 2016

'Women Dragged Into Fields': Eyewitness On Alleged Rapes In Murthal During Jat Stir

Sukhwinder, a truck driver, said he saw around 100 to 150 people come out of the fields.

Murthal: Dozens of women were dragged into a field near Murthal about 50 km from Delhi, a truck driver has said, among the first of witness accounts into allegations that women were gang-raped here a week ago, at the height of violence during Jat quota protests in Haryana.

"I saw almost 50 women. They were being taken to the farms. I didn't see what was done with them and what was not," Sukhwinder told news agency ANI. There were around 150 people who came from the fields onto the highway who dragged the women away, he said.

Innerwear scattered on the highway near the popular pit-stop for travellers gave a chilling face to reports that women were pulled out of cars and gang-raped here during the protests and violence.

The police say no one has been able to confirm the mass rapes that allegedly took place late on Sunday night; no witnesses have come forward, no complaints have been made and villagers have said nothing.

Three women officers who were tasked with receiving any rape complaint during the Jat protests visited Murthal today. They said they will take the statement of the truck driver into account and investigate.

"These (innerwear) had been sent to Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. We appeal to all citizens who have any clue to forward. They should meet us and tell us whatever they have seen," one of the officers said.

The state government had yesterday said it would act "swiftly" as and when it receives complaint on alleged sexual assault during Jat agitation.

Protests by Jat groups demanding reservation in government jobs and education turned violent last week as mobs burnt buildings, blocked highways, damaged cars and even attacked canals, cutting off water supply to Delhi. Thirty people were killed in the violence, the police chief has said.
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