04/24/2018, 09.53
INDIA
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6-year-old child, raped and abandoned in school, now in coma

by Nirmala Carvalho

Cuttack police arrested a 25-year-old who lured her with treats. The child has injuries on her face, and her brain from strangulation as well as injuries from rape . Sr. Meena Barwa: "I cry for my country. May God forgive them".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - A six-year-old girl has been raped and abandoned on the veranda of a school in the district of Cuttack, in the Indian state of Orissa, and is now in a coma. The head of the hospital in which she is hospitalized reports to the Hindustan Times. The little girl, whose name has not been made known has several wounds to the face and signs of strangulation. "We are doing our best to save her," adds the doctor. Sepaking to AsiaNews, Sr. Meena Barwa, of the Servants of Mary, states: "The horrible rape of a six-year-old girl makes me cry for India. These thoughts linger in my mind and in my heart ".

The sexual violence against the small girl from Orissa occurred on April 21st and is only the latest in a series of similar cases that have recently emerged. The case that aroused greatest indignation was the rape of Asifa Bano, eight years old, kept in a temple for a week, tortured and finally killed and thrown into a forest in Jammu and Kahsmir.

This was followed by another incident in Uttar Pradesh involving a 16-year-old raped by a BJP politician (Bharatiya Janata Party). Finally, last week it was the turn of a six-month-old baby girl, subjected to rape and murder in Madhya Pradesh.

Police in Orissa arrested a 25-year-old boy found guilty of rape. He is reported to have confessed to having lured the girl into a shop with the excuse of giving her chocolates and sweets. After buying chocolate for the value of 5 rupees [0.06 euro - ed], he attracted her to the school, where he then raped and assaulted her. He panicked at the little girl's cries for help, and tried to stop her by covering her mouth and banging her head against the wall. Then, believing he had killed her, he abandoned her unconscious.

Though the forensic report is yet to be received, doctors treating the child said her there were injuries on her private parts. The police charged the alleged perpetrator of rape, attempted murder and violation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. In front of the judges, the young man asked to be released on bail but was denied.

Sr. Meena laments: "The horrific rape of the six year old in Cuttack makes me weep for India, these thoughts lingers in my mind and heart. These days , news of so many minors are being brutalised and violence and this is a trauma for every one of us in India, our girls and women – have we no conscience, no respect for our own mothers and sisters,??? . It has affected me, i read news and watch of this horrific incident. I cannot digest. There is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. To this extent people (men) of my country can become. Whom will women, girls and kids turn to ? I can't bear to imagine what pain parents are undergoing. Have men have become so evils in our country. Once again, I feel insecure and frightened. It is too much to take. I can't reconcile. my heart is heavy. Let God forgive these men I need to wipe my tears and hope against hopelessness and wait. Let my country awake."

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