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Indian gang-rape victim arrives in Singapore for medical treatment
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2012, Friday
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INDIAN Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged yesterday to take action to protect the nation's women while the young victim of a gang rape on a New Delhi bus was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries.
The December 16 rape and brutal beating of the 23-year-old student triggered widespread protests, including a march yesterday, demanding a government crackdown on the daily harassment Indian women face, ranging from groping to severe violence. Some protesters have called for the death penalty or castration for rapists, who under current laws face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
Rape victims rarely press charges because of social stigma and fear they will be accused of inviting the attack. Many women say they structure their lives around protecting themselves and their daughters from attack.
Singh's government set up two committees in response to the protests. One, looking into speeding up sexual assault trials, has already received 6,100 e-mail suggestions. The second will examine what lapses might have contributed to the rape - which occurred on a moving bus that passed through police checkpoints - and suggest measures to improve safety.
"Let me state categorically that the issue of safety and security of women is of the highest concern to our government," Singh said at a development meeting. He urged officials in India's states to pay special attention to the problem.
"There can be no meaningful development without the active participation of half the population, and this participation simply cannot take place if their security and safety is not assured," he said.
The rape victim arrived in Singapore on an air ambulance yesterday and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Mount Elizabeth hospital, renowned for multi-organ transplant facilities.
Last night she remained in "extremely critical condition" as a team of specialists worked to stabilize her, Dr Kelvin Loh, the hospital's chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Before arriving in Singapore, she had already undergone three abdominal surgeries and suffered cardiac arrest, the doctor said.
India's Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government, which is funding and overseeing the victim's treatment, had decided to send her abroad on the recommendation of her doctors.
"Despite the best efforts of our doctors, the victim continues to be critical and her fluctuating health remains a big cause of concern to all of us," he said.
Her family was also being sent to Singapore to be with her during her treatment, which could last weeks, he said.
Meanwhile, protesters demanded safer public transportation for women.
The December 16 rape and brutal beating of the 23-year-old student triggered widespread protests, including a march yesterday, demanding a government crackdown on the daily harassment Indian women face, ranging from groping to severe violence. Some protesters have called for the death penalty or castration for rapists, who under current laws face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
Rape victims rarely press charges because of social stigma and fear they will be accused of inviting the attack. Many women say they structure their lives around protecting themselves and their daughters from attack.
Singh's government set up two committees in response to the protests. One, looking into speeding up sexual assault trials, has already received 6,100 e-mail suggestions. The second will examine what lapses might have contributed to the rape - which occurred on a moving bus that passed through police checkpoints - and suggest measures to improve safety.
"Let me state categorically that the issue of safety and security of women is of the highest concern to our government," Singh said at a development meeting. He urged officials in India's states to pay special attention to the problem.
"There can be no meaningful development without the active participation of half the population, and this participation simply cannot take place if their security and safety is not assured," he said.
The rape victim arrived in Singapore on an air ambulance yesterday and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Mount Elizabeth hospital, renowned for multi-organ transplant facilities.
Last night she remained in "extremely critical condition" as a team of specialists worked to stabilize her, Dr Kelvin Loh, the hospital's chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Before arriving in Singapore, she had already undergone three abdominal surgeries and suffered cardiac arrest, the doctor said.
India's Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government, which is funding and overseeing the victim's treatment, had decided to send her abroad on the recommendation of her doctors.
"Despite the best efforts of our doctors, the victim continues to be critical and her fluctuating health remains a big cause of concern to all of us," he said.
Her family was also being sent to Singapore to be with her during her treatment, which could last weeks, he said.
Meanwhile, protesters demanded safer public transportation for women.
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