Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Girl set on fire for resisting rape

An 11-year-old girl who was set on fire during an attempted rape in eastern India has died of her injuries.

The girl was admitted to a government hospital in Kolkata with critical burns after the incident in Howrah district on Wednesday.
On Saturday, the police arrested an 18-year-old suspect. He and an accomplice, who is still being sought, were named by the victim.

Police said the suspects allegedly attempted to rape the girl outside her home.



When she resisted and threatened to reveal his identity, the 18-year-old poured kerosene over her and set her on fire.

However, the suspect told investigators that his accomplice had poured the kerosene and set her ablaze. Police are currently trying to verify his claim, Howrah police spokesman Jayeeta Bose said.

Activists say attacks on women and girls continue unabated in India despite new anti-rape laws, and blame police laxity in preventing such crimes.

Sexual violence has been a focus of attention since the fatal gang rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi last December triggered mass protests.

No comments: