Ujjain heart-wrenching incident: In a disturbing episode from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a young girl of just 12 years old, presumably a victim of a heinous act, desperately sought aid. Tragically, instead of offering assistance, many chose to turn a blind eye. This is yet another incident that raises questions about the society we live in, where violence against women, especially the young, seems to have become disturbingly regular.
The unsettling images, taken from a CCTV camera stationed on Badnagar Road, around 15 km from the heart of Ujjain, show the child making her way from one house to another, looking for help. She was met with indifference at best, and disdain at worst, as captured when a man dismissed her outright.
In her pitiful state, clad in tattered clothes, she eventually found refuge in an Ashram. Sensing the gravity of the situation, a compassionate priest offered her cover and promptly arranged for her to be taken to the district hospital. Medical professionals later confirmed the worst fears – she had been sexually assaulted.
Given the severity of her injuries, she was immediately transferred to Indore for further treatment. Displaying a spirit of camaraderie and humanity, local police officers donated blood to support her medical needs. Fortunately, reports now suggest that she is on the path to recovery.
In the midst of the distress, senior police officer, Deepika Shinde, made efforts to communicate with the child. However, the trauma seemed to have left her disoriented, unable to relay basic information such as her name or address.
Taking swift action, the police have initiated legal proceedings. They are actively seeking the perpetrators, invoking the robust Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In a press release, Ujjain’s Police Chief, Sachin Sharma, assured that a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT) is working diligently on the case. He also urged residents to come forward with any leads that could aid in the investigation.
Sharma, when prodded about the crime’s specifics, maintained that the police are still investigating the exact location of the incident and would provide updates when they are available. One piece of information that did emerge was the possibility of the girl being from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, deduced from her accent.
This distressing event brings to light, once again, the disheartening scenario in Madhya Pradesh regarding violence against women. Between 2019 and 2021, Madhya Pradesh, alongside Maharashtra, saw the highest numbers of women and girls going missing. Even more concerning is the fact that Madhya Pradesh registered the most rape cases in India in 2021, with 6,462 incidents. Shockingly, over half of these involved minors. This daunting statistic boils down to 18 reported rapes every single day.
As such events continue to unravel, one is forced to wonder: when will the plight of women and children in society change for the better?
