Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 24: In a rarest act of cruelty, the husband and in-laws of a poor and hapless young woman, have pushed her to such a situation of uncertainty and darkness that the poor housewife, is almost certain to lose both her legs.
This is the most painful, heart-writhing and untold-tale of 20-year-old, Tazeem Akhtar, daughter of Muneer Hussain (a labourer), resident of village Plouri Gujran in Kotranka area of district Rajouri. The girl was allegedly tortured by using third degree methods by husband, Razak Ahmed, son of Shah Mohd and members of in-laws’ family for dowry. Not only this, they threw acid on her feet and lower legs. The acid wounds have turned so deeper and infectious that poor girl is sure to lose her both the limbs.
The poor and hapless woman, a mother of nearly 4 months old baby, is now struggling for life in hospital. The infection in her both the feet and lower portion of legs has reached to such a condition that doctors in GMC Hospital Jammu have suggested that amputation of her lower limbs was must to save her life.
She belonged to a very poor family and her parents moved from pillar to post for getting justice for their daughter. The poor father was not allowed to report the matter to Kotranka (Parori) police initially by some local Panchayat members and relatives of in-laws, on the plea that they would provide her justice. The Panchayat members also assured to get some money from in-laws for the treatment of the girl. The ignorant family started local treatment of the girl and did not bring her to hospital for over a month.
With the passage of time, the infection in legs went on spreading and the illiterate and innocent villagers, could not realise the seriousness of the matter. With the advice of some relatives, injured Tazeem Akhtar was brought to GMC Hospital Jammu few days back. She remained admitted here for some days. The doctors providing treatment decided to amputate her legs to save her life as infection was continuously spreading. They also told the family to get prepared for major surgery.
Shell- shocked over the Jammu doctors’ decision, the parents reached back to their home three days back along with girl and approached Parori Police Post to get a case registered. The in-charge Police Post and Munshi refused to register a case. The poor parents then mustered a little courage and reached the office of SP Rajouri Mubbasar Latiffi along with the victim (their daughter) and narrated their tale of woe. They also complained that Parori police refused to entertain an FIR twice even with the intervention of a Panchayat member.
The SP then directed SHO Rajouri to register an FIR immediately and sent the girl for treatment in Rajouri hospital. Accordingly, the Rajouri police registered a case FIR No. 258/2014 under Sections 307/498-A, 323, 342 RPC against victim’s husband Razak Ahmed, his father Shah Mohd and mother Shah Begum, residents of Plouri Gujran. The police said that teams have been sent to arrest the accused persons. However, the action against the Parori police post cops was yet awaited.
The girl revealed that she was married to Razak Ahmed over two years back. Razak worked in Saudi Arabia and was at home now for some time. She was being tortured and harassed for dowry by husband and in-laws. Her father being labourer was unable to meet their demands. Even he sold some of his land and paid Rs 50,000 to the in-laws some time back. She delivered baby in February 18 this year and after this she developed pains in feet and legs. She was also very weak and told husband and mother in-law about it. They started abusing and told that she was telling lies. They forced her to work and even beat up many times. One day, they threw acid on her feet and legs and she received serious burns. It happened about two months back. The father came to know about it and took her daughter to his house. Some local Panchayat members and village elders under the influence of girl’s inlaws’ did not allow Muneer Hussain to approach police.
The family started local treatment and even few Panchayat seatings were held to resolve the issue but matter could not be settled. With the passage of time, the wounds on feet and lower limbs became serious and deeper. Then they moved to GMC where doctors suggested for the amputation of her legs. At present, the girl is struggling for survival in District hospital Rajouri. Some NGOs have come forward for the help of this hapless daughter of a poor labourer.
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