At a time when India is reeling under widespread protests over a spate of crime against women, another shocking case has been reported from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh-a region infamous for rising incidence of violence against women.
This time, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly beaten and set on fire by three men in Vaina village near Kanpur. The young girl who has sustained critical burns is currently battling for her life at a local hospital.
The police have arrested one accused, while a search operation has been launched to look for the other culprits.
According to Indian news agency ANI, the incident took place when the girl had gone to fetch water from a handpump near her house. The three men tried to stop her from getting water and when she refused to comply, they reportedly beat her up until she lost consciousness and then poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. After hearing her loud cries for help, the villagers rushed her to the nearby hospital.
In the country’s most populous region, crime against women has become increasingly rampant.
According to a report released by the National Crime Records Bureau’s in 2016, Uttar Pradesh recorded 14.5% of the total cases of crimes against women in India.
Recently, the state’s government led by Yogi Adityanath came under the scanner for its alleged inaction over the case of sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Unnao.
