A three-year-old girl has died following a sexual assault in the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu prompting widespread outrage over the rising number of crimes against women and children in the state. The police confirmed that a migrant worker from Bihar has been arrested in connection with the attack. The child's family, who are also from Bihar, had settled in the SIPCOT industrial area of Gummidipoondi. The young girl was found abandoned with serious injuries in a bushy area yesterday and was rushed to hospital, but tragically passed away during treatment today.
According to the police, the girl was acquainted with the accused, who allegedly lured her. A senior police officer informed the media that the child knew the man, and that he had offered her biscuits before taking her to an isolated spot where the assault took place. The accused was reportedly caught by local residents and handed over to the authorities. Among all the rage and anger caused by the incident, a few more people were thrashed by the mob due to their possible complicity in the crime. However, the police ruled out allegations of multiple assailants in the act, stating that there was no gang rape in the situation, and only one person was responsible for the same.
According to Indumathi, a resident of the area, the child was playing around her house when she got attacked. She revealed that the attacker tempted her with some biscuits before attacking her and leaving her lying in the bush for someone else to discover her. A local woman helped the girl after finding her in the bushes. Only after understanding the extent of her injuries did she realise how serious the matter was. Initially, a case had been filed under the POCSO Act; however, it will likely be upgraded to murder charges now.
The tragic incident occurs when people have become more aware of a sharp rise in cases of sexual assault on women and children recently in Tamil Nadu. It was one of the key issues raised by parties campaigning in the recent legislative elections and has been making headlines ever since. The leader of the opposition DMK, TKS Elangovan, has demanded that those found guilty be dealt with severely and that the government should show its seriousness about the matter.
This represents an instant challenge for Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who has just recently come to power and said that he is going to form a unique group called “Singappenn” that will be responsible for safeguarding women and girls. However, even though the formation of such a unit has been proposed just a few days ago, it seems clear that this incident will test their determination in the face of all these measures being taken against violence.
Also read: Tamil Nadu govt seeks Centre's nod to desilt Vaigai Dam
Follow us
