Tapi village pastor arrested for rape bid on tribal woman

A pastor in tribal dominated village in Ucchhal taluka of Tapi district has been alleged of raping a Gamit woman who lives in the same village. The victim claimed that the pastor and his men attacked her and her family members after she registered complaint against the pastor at the police station. The matter however only surfaced after local villagers intervened into it.

The woman Fatma Gamit, 36 a resident of Vadpadabhit village and a mother of two, daily visits church to offer prayers. On Tuesday evening after completing her rituals, Gamit's friend Ramuben Gamit asked her to come to her house. When the duo entered Ramuben's house, Gamit was surprised to see village church pastor Ambu Gamit sitting inside. Making some excuse, Ramuben left leaving Gamit with Ambu in the house.

Before Gamit could understand anything, Ambu nabbed her and tore her clothes. Gamit then screamed for help and hearing which her elder son Paul came searching for her. Paul was shocked to see the village church raping her mother. After Ambu acknowledged Paul's presence he, thrashed him and his mother both of dire consequences if they informed anyone about the incident.

Gamit immediately informed her husband about the incident. The couple was returning from the police station, on Wednesday when Ambu intercepted them on the way. Gamit said, "At first he asked us to go home but when we resisted he assaulted us.  His family members and other associates also thrashed us. Ambu has local support and good links with the leaders of the area. The police too asked us to go away when we demanded for registering the case against the pastor. The police claimed that there is nothing to register a police case in the incident."

However, police had to register a case of mistreat against Ambu after villagers intervened into the matter. A local NGO extended help to Gamit and presurrised police to take immediate action against the culprit. The local cops then arrested Ambu and his aides late on Thursday evening in the matter.  However, police had to register a case of mistreat against Ambu after villagers intervened into the matter. A local NGO extended help to Fatma and pressurized police to take immediate action into the matter. Police arrested Ambu and others late on Thursday evening, in the incident.