A teenager bomb blast victim awaits help for treatment, studies
By A Ghiyasuddin, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Tears haven’t stopped rolling over her cheeks for last nine years. The 15-year-old victim of terrorism has been awaiting help for her treatment and also for further pursuing studies. But the cries of help of the poor girl and her family seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
Rinki Begum was just six-year-old when she was seriously injured in the bomb blast triggered by ULFA militants in Kamrup district’s Changsari in 2005. Today, at 15, she cannot even stand on her feet. Splinters hit her on her back and injured her badly. It damaged her lower portion of the body, down below from waist.
“All our dreams have shattered. She was good at studies and she wanted to continue to her study but for me, it’s impossible to provide her treatment,” Hussain Ali, Rinki’s father, an auto-rickshaw driver, shares his concern with TwoCircles.net.
Her mother Mofizon Begum was also injured in the blast. The initial treatment was provided by the initiatives of local MLA but later, he too declined to help further. “I keep on wondering what will happen. But I just cannot do anything for my daughter. It hurts to see her struggling like this. I cannot even afford to buy a wheel chair. When I took her to Patna for further treatment, doctors said it would cost around Rs 6 lakh to cure her,” Ali adds.
Rinki Begum, physically handicapped in a bomb blast
Earlier, after her accident, Rinki continued her studies for one year. Her father used to carry her to school, but when she grew up, it became difficult for Ali to carry her. Rinki dreamed of working hard, studying hard and earning a name for herself and her family. The one who wanted to help the needy now sits in a corner of her house and is forced to express her feelings on a piece of paper.
“I like watching cartoons on television. I wish I could go to schools and study like my friends. Some of my friends visit me and tell me the stories of school,” says an emotional Rinki.
Rinki Begum, physically handicapped after a bomb blast, with her parents
But her problems continue. Rinki’s neighbors too expressed their sorrow for failing to provide her treatment. They also condemned the government apathy.
Recalling the horror that she had undergone over the years, she also condemns all sorts of terror activities including the recent Taliban attack at the Peshawar school in Pakistan.
Rinki Begum, who is left physically handicapped in a bomb blast, being helped by her father Hussain Ali to move on a wheel chair
A ray of hope
After years of suffering, there seems to be a ray of hope for Rinki and her father too. An NGO ‘Centre for Equity, Justice and Rule of Law (CEJAR)’ has come forward to help her.
Akdas Ali Mir of CEJAR, a senior advocate of Guwahati High Court, has recently arranged for a wheel chair and warm clothes for the young girl. Mir has further decided to file a PIL appealing the government to bear the expenses for the girl’s further treatment.
Mir says: “It was shocking to see the plight of the family. Without any fault of the girl, she has to suffer just because of some mindless act of violence of militants. If the government provides the treatment, it will be great.”
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TCN readers willing to help for the cause of Rinki’s treatment may contact Hussain Ali on his mobile number (098542 00216) or directly deposit the desired sum as their contribution to bank account number (33983615977) in the name of ‘Rinki Begum’ at the Changsari branch of State Bank of India (IFSC code — SBIN 0016944).