Nun rape: Missionary institutions remain shut on bandh call

A day-long bandh to keep all education institutions closed in Chhattisgarh in protest against the alleged gang-rape of a Christian nun today evoked a mixed response in the state.
All missionary schools and colleges, along with a section of private schools and educational institutions in major cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon and Dhamtari, remained shut in response to the call to this effect given by 'Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti'.
However, all government-run educational institutions remained unaffected by the shutdown.
The 48-year-old nun was allegedly gangraped by two masked men at a medicare centre in Raipur's Pandari area on June 20.

The failure of the police to trace the accused had led to outrage with various agitations being regularly held in the state capital since the incident.
"Crime against women is on the rise and by extending support to our bandh call, the students have clearly reflected their anger against such incidents," alleged Dharmaraj Mahapatra, convener of 'Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti', an umbrella body of several organisations, while talking to PTI.

He said a "massive" protest will be organised on July 8 if police failed to arrest culprits by then.
"Even after ten days of the offence (rape), neither the perpetrators have been identified nor anybody is taken into custody. We have met the CM and DGP to take speedy action in this regard. If nothing concrete is done as early as possible we will launch a massive protest on July 8," Mahapatra added.

A string of protests seeking arrest of the culprits involved in the crime were held in the city during the past few days.
In her complaint to the police, the victim had said she was sexually assaulted by two masked men in the wee hours of June 20 after binding and gagging her while she was asleep at the nursing centre.