Shillong : A two-year-old girl is in critical condition after she was raped by her uncle in a Meghalaya village, police said Friday. The accused has been arrested.
The incident occurred Oct 22 in Kherapara area of West Garo Hills district. Kherapara is about 370 km from here.
“We were working in the paddy field and left the child with Antonis. Upon return, we found the child crying and bleeding. We were shocked to see our daughter in such state and rushed her to hospital,” the parents of the child said.
“We have arrested Antonis Ch. Marak, 45, based on a verbal complaint by the victim’s father at a local police station,” Bruno Sangma, additional district police chief of West Garo Hills, told IANS.
“After committing the heinous crime Antonis fled to another village in Bolchugre area to evade arrest but we managed to arrest him on the same day (Oct 22) and produced him in a local court,” he said.
The two-year-old, under treatment in Tura Civil hospital, is in critical condition.
“The girl is in deep pain and she has been crying throughout the day,” a doctor said.
West Garo Hills district magistrate Pravin Bakshi said: “We are monitoring the case. If required, we will shift her to Guwahati for further medical aid.”
Incidents of crime against women, especially rape, are on the rise in Meghalaya, traditionally known for its matrilineal society and respect for women.
Meghalaya government statistics reveal that in 2013 alone (from January to September), 250 cases of crimes against women were registered. Of these, 151 were of rape.