12-yr-old girl escapes from 'cruel masters'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 16 2014:
Indian law under the Child Labour Act prohibits the employment of children under 14 years of age.
However, in small States like Manipur the Act is nearly nonexistent.
DESAM, in a press conference held at its head office, unveiled another case of violation of the Act.
The association rescued a domestic helper from Sagolband Sayang, informed M Angamba, president, DESAM.
The recued 12-year-old girl from Khumbong Makha Leikai and her parents are working in a brick field at Patsoi.
In her testimony, the girl claimed to have worked for RK Milan and his wife Linthoi of Sagolband Sayang for nearly two years.
Apparently employed to help out in the domestic chores, the girl reported ill treatment and overwork.
The girl said that Linthoi, apart from overworking her, also forcefully made her massage her body.
She further added that Linthoi was seldom satisfied with her.
Linthoi allegedly tried to strangulatate her and kicked her down the bed sometimes, she added.
Unable to bear the regular thrashing and scolding by the housewife, she had tried to escape from the house on various occassions but he was captured every time by one or the other, continued the girl.
She recalled that she was kept locked inside a room everytime she tried to run away.
She also narrated an incident when she overheard about her mother's visit to collect certain amount of money adding that she is not aware how much they had paid to her mother.
In another incident, Linthoi is said to have thrashed the girl with wires on the pretext of borrowing pliers from one of their neighbours.
In a similar situation the next day the girl was beaten black and blue with a belt.
Also on July 15, Linthoi tried to strangulate the girl for what she called unsatisfactory massaging.
The girl, Angamba said, was rescued by DESAM members from the locality after she escaped from the house.
The members also rescued the girl's younger sister who was also working in the family with her sister.
Previously two girls before them who had also worked in the family had fled the house unable to bear the tortures, DESAM president said.
RK Milan is an advocate and his wife Linthoi is an SI.
Considering their professions, Angamba added, such act is least expected of them.
Demanding justice, Angamba further urged the concerned authority to to act at the earliest.
The girl has now been handed over to Child Line India by DESAM members.