The borders were opened today after 48 hours.
Hathras, Uttar Pradesh:
Two days after a village in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, was sealed amid outrage over the death of a 20-year-old woman who was gang-raped and tortured, borders have been reopened today and journalists have been allowed to enter.
Only journalists can enter the village, a senior official said, adding that political leaders will not be allowed. “The curbs were put in place only to maintain law and order,” Joint Magistrate Hathras Prem Prakash Meena said.
Dismissing allegations by the victim’s family that they were locked in their home and their phones taken away, he told GalacticGaming: “The allegations of a boy who spoke to reporters on Friday are without merit . If a child can escape, it shows. There were no restrictions for the family. No phones were confiscated. “
On Friday, the victim’s family said she “could not leave” their home.
A boy in the family who spoke to reporters said, “They took our phones away from us. My family sent me here to talk to reporters. I escaped and came here. They won’t leave us. not come out if they don’t allow the media to come in. They threaten us too. ”
“The district magistrate kicked my uncle in the chest … he passed out after being hit,” he added.
Over the past two days, several opposition leaders have been barred from entering the village, even amid violent protests.
On Thursday, Congress leaders – Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra – were arrested as they led a march towards the village. Dramatic footage showed a face-to-face between the 50-year-old former congressman and the police chief.
Trinamool Congressman Derek O’Brien, along with several other party leaders, said on Friday they were manhandled by UP police when they were just 1.5 km from the village where the victim lived.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make another attempt this afternoon to meet the family of the 20-year-old. “Nothing in the world can stop me from going to Hathras to meet this unhappy family to share their pain,” Mr Gandhi tweeted this morning.
