Sonagachi leaders attacked!

[Guest guest]

Freinds!

We would like to share the update news related to violence on Jharna Ghosh,

Treasurer of DMSC . Immediately after the incident ,the DMSC leadership lodged

FIR in Kalighat Police station against the local club members and as a result 4

accused persons have been arrested by the police.

In solidarity

Swapna Gayen(Secretary)

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee Treasurer Jharna Ghosh Attacked!

E-mail: <sonagachi@...>

Friends!

Jharna Ghosh, Treasurer of Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) - the sex

workers' organisation that runs the Sonagachi Project (STD/HIV Intervention

Project) in 47 sex-work sites in West Bengal - was abused and threatened with

violence by local club members led by one 'Shambhu' at Kalighat sex work site

late last night (01 Nov. 2004).

DMSC, in response to complaints by sex workers of the neighbourhood, was

protesting against forcible collection of contributions in the red light area,

for " Kali Puja " organised by the club in question.

Last Friday (29 Oct), DMSC in response to complaints from sex workers of

Kalighat, had sent a fact-finding team to Kalighat. Door-to-door enquiry among

sex workers revealed that the club members collected subscriptions from sex

workers forcibly during this festive season. In addition, the club members

barricaded the narrow by-lanes and forcibly demanded extra contributions from

clients and passers-by. If anyone refused to pay, he was harassed and slapped,

his clothes torn off and his money robbed.

DMSC protested against this oppression and informed the local police of the

goings-on. In response, the local club members harassed Jharna Ghosh, abused her

and threatened her with violence. In response, the DMSC leadership reached

Kalighat late last night and proceeded to lodge a complaint with Kalighat PS.

The club tried to intimidate the local police - when the DMSC leadership reached

Kalighat PS, a club member (one 'Tarak') phoned the duty officer and ordered him

not to accept DMSC's complaint against them. However, despite this intimation

DMSC lodged a formal diary (Kalighat PS GDE No. 101 Dt. 01-11-04). Following

this, DMSC leadership and a police contingent reached Kalighat red-light area.

Angry, violent and abusive club members met the group. The mob threatened Roma

Debnath (President, DMSC), Jharna and other DMSC activists with beatings and

acid attacks.

As we write this letter, we have information that the situation continues to be

tense for staff of Sonagachi Project and DMSC activists in Kalighat - the local

club and its henchmen are continuing their threats and intimidation. In such a

situation, we are unable to continue our routine activities and consequently sex

workers of Kalighat are deprived of the services that DMSC and its intervention

project provides.

Friends! This time too, as in the past, powerful local interests have begun

showing their muscle the moment we, the sex workers organise and protest against

violence, oppression and extortion. As an organisation dedicated for winning

rights and dignity of sex workers, we are committed to oppose these forces of

intimidation and oppression. We urgently appeal to you to lodge your protests

against this atrocity immediately and support us in our struggle.

In solidarity,

Rama Debnath (President)

Swapna Gayen (Secretary)

Dt. 02-11-2004