New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has expressed deep sorrow over the assault of an Army officer and his friend in Madhya Pradesh, as well as the alleged sexual assault of their female companion, calling the incident heart-wrenching. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi pointed out that this horrific incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence against women across India.Priyanka Gandhis responds to Madhya Pradesh rape caseIn her post, Priyanka Gandhi wrote, The incidents in Madhya Pradesh, where military officers were taken hostage and a woman was gang-raped, and in Uttar Pradesh, where a womans naked body was found on a highway, are heart-wrenching. She further highlighted that on average, 86 women fall victim to sexual assault or brutality every day in the country, underlining the widespread and ongoing crisis of violence against women.Crushing the morale of millionsGandhi emphasized the psychological toll of these violent acts on women across the nation. From home to the streets, from roads to offices, women are unsafe everywhere. Not only is half of the countrys population insecure, but these brutalities also crush the morale of millions of women every day, the Congress general secretary noted, drawing attention to the pervasive nature of this issue.Women safety a serious concernPriyanka Gandhi also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its failure to ensure womens safety despite promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the Prime Minister makes big statements about womens safety, women across the country are still waiting for serious action to ensure their protection. When will this wait finally end she asked, urging for immediate and concrete measures to address the issue.Arrests made in connection with the assaultEarlier in the day, police arrested two individuals in connection with the assault on a young Army officer and his friend in Madhya Pradesh. According to the FIR, the officer from the Military Headquarters of Warfare (Mhow) Infantry School and his friend were attacked by a group of 7-8 men. One of the two women accompanying them was allegedly sexually assaulted.Indore Rural Superintendent of Police, Hitika Vasal, told ANI that six suspects have been identified following an investigation by 10 police teams. Two suspects have been arrested, and authorities are working to apprehend the remaining four. Efforts are underway to nab the remaining four, they will be caught at the earliest, Vasal stated.What actually happenedThe assault took place at an Army firing range in Indore. According to the complaint, the female companion of the Army officer was taken to a secluded area, and her screams led her friends to suspect that she had been assaulted. Police were informed about the incident, and when they arrived at the scene, the suspects fled. The police have not yet recorded the female victims statement, and further investigation is ongoing.The assault and sexual violence in Madhya Pradesh have sparked outrage across the country, further highlighting the need for urgent and sustained efforts to improve the safety and security of women.
