Harassment against the underprivileged class is not uncommon. A case came to the limelight in Assam recently. A 16-year-old girl working as a helper in a house in Dima Hasao district of Assam was allegedly thrashed up by her employers. The victim's medical report revealed a fractured nose and deep cuts on her tongue, police sources said, adding that she was kept without clothes most of the time.
Guwahati: Harassment against the underprivileged class is not uncommon. A case came to the limelight in Assam recently. A 16-year-old girl working as a helper in a house in Dima Hasao district of Assam was allegedly thrashed up by her employers. An Army major and his wife have been arrested in Assam for allegedly torturing their minor house help and inflicting severe injuries that included broken teeth and burn marks on her body, said sources.
After examination, victim’s medical report revealed a fractured nose and deep cuts on her tongue, police sources said, adding that she was kept without clothes most of the time. She had signs of burn injuries all over her body. she allegedly tortured for six months and starved by the couple. When she requested for food, they would make her eat from the garbage bin, the sources added.
Girl narrated her ordeal that she was stripped and thrashed until she bled, the extent of the torture being such that she was even forced to lick her own blood. “She kept me locked me in a room, pulled my hair, and beat me. She was angry with my efficiency in household chores and beat me with a belan (rolling pin). She would strip me. She would beat me, and when I bled, she forced me to lick my own blood,” the girl recounted the horror.
The Army officer has been identified as Major Shailendra Yadav and is currently posted in Himachal Pradesh’s Palampur. He married Kimmy Ralson of Haflong two years ago when he was posted in Dima Hasao. He hired domestic help for babysitting and taken her to Plampur. SP Mayank Kumar said a case has been registered at Haflong police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
The SP said, during the investigation, prima facie evidence was found against the Army Major and his wife and they were arrested in connection with the case and sent to judicial custody. He said the girl was being provided necessary assistance including medical treatment. SP Mayank Kumar said, further investigation is going on. Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
Victims mother told the media that she could barely recognize her when she came home. She stated that she was only 16 years old but looked like an elderly woman. Her teeth were broken and there were burn marks on her face. Her ears were mutilated and she was having difficulty speaking.
