Guwahati: In a heart wrenching incident that made headlines on Tuesday, a minor girl died after giving birth to a child in Barpeta district of Assam.
Reports state that the girl had been raped and coerced into giving birth. The incident took place at the Barpeta Medical College and Hospital.
This occurs one day after the Assam government launched a significant campaign to end child marriage throughout the state. The 13-year-old victim was from Bhuskuli village under Rangsai police station in Goalpara district.
According to reports, the minor girl was sexually abused seven months prior. She gave birth to a child at Goalpara Civil Hospital on January 22. However, the child also died shortly after birth.
The girl was transferred to Barpeta Medical College as her condition deteriorated, where she passed away while receiving treatment.
The victim’s family was notified that she had been raped seven months prior. They identified the accused as 40-year-old Jug Sangma, who had threatened her into keeping the rape a secret.
However, the family decided to speak up after the accused allegedly threatened to murder the victim.
Following her demise, people in her neighbourhood Rangsai in Goalpara have reacted strongly and came out in support of the family.
Meanwhile, the family filed a complaint at the Rangsai police station naming the accused Jug Sangma, but no one has been detained as of yet.