NCW asks Jharkhand to improve hospitals for burn victims after murder of a minor in Dumka
The National Commission for Women on Thursday directed the Jharkhand government to “improve hospital infrastructure” to provide treatment to water victims after a fact-finding committee visited the state to probe the death of a 15-year-old girl. Diya, which was set on fire by him.
The incident took place on 23 August. Shahrukh, an accused in the case, threw petrol at the victim from the window and set it on fire when he and his family were sleeping. The victim died later that month.
After this incident, VHP and Bajrang Dal protested in Dumka town, after which prohibitory orders were imposed. The accused and his alleged accomplice Chhotu Khan, who is believed to have supplied the fuel, have been arrested and a case of murder has been registered.
The Fact-Finding Committee of NCW in its report said, “Phulo Jhano Medical College, Dumka and Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi lacked the infrastructure to treat critically scorched patients. In such an emergency, the State Government may be recommended to improve the infrastructure of the hospitals to provide the best treatment.
The victim was taken to both these hospitals for treatment.
The committee sought to clarify any “confusion” about the age of the victim and confirmed that she was a minor.
It also said that “confusion regarding the degree of burns alleged in media reports was clarified after discussions with various authorities”. “Phulo Jhano Medical College, Dumka had reported burns as less than 90%, while doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi reported that the burns were 60-65%. Further, the doctors pointed out that the chances of survival are very less in cases with more than 50% burns,” the commission said in its report.
