Imphal, August 02: The plight of poor and illiterate young people, employed as domestic help by working couples at various cities and towns have never been enviable.

If the accounts given by a semi-literate 19-year old girl hailing from here, who worked as domestic help since January this year at Delhi are to be believed, it surely is time for women�s right groups and the civil societies to wake up and take note.

According to Dimnemkim, (19) daughter of Gouzakap of Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, Churachandpur her family had agreed to send her to work for Rebecca Ngailianmoi and her husband Yearuingam Tangkhul who were living at Khanpur, New Delhi, on being offered Rs 500 per month with food, clothing and free lodging.

The house lady, Rebecca, also hailing from Churachandpur, is working with SHARAN, a rehabilitation centre in Delhi.

The girl and her would-be employers left for Delhi together on January 20, 2004 but within a month of reaching Delhi, the nightmare began.

In a statement given to the Young Paite Association (YPA), New Lamka, Dimnemkim alleged that she was beaten and assaulted on every pretext by her employers on charges of un-mopped floors, not cleaning the fans and utensils properly and even stealing scooter keys.

On more than one occasion, she was forced out of home, but had to return eventually as she knew no one else to turn to.

The girl had dropped out after reaching Class III.

Even as more than 10 days passed since her return home from Delhi, accompanied by some local men who felt pity for her, there are tell tale signs still aplenty on her body which tells the inhuman treatment inflicted on her.

There are multiple injury marks on her head, some of which are still swelling.

Scars are also visible on her lips, arms and shin.

There are bluish marks on her chest which she said are a result of torture with burning candles.

The girl also cannot still clench her left fist due to a fracture which happen when her hand was crushed against the wall with a blunt kitchen instrument.

An X-ray taken here shows a crack in the bone.

She also added that her menstrual circle had stopped since about four month now, due to a savage kick on the waist.

She said that on one occasion, there was a heated argument between her employers and neighbors as the neighbors objected to her inhuman treatment.

The girl�s father Mr Gouzakap, now more than 60 years, said that they know nothing about lodging complaints on such cases and added that they are afraid to take up the case as they have no money.

None of the family members have regular income.

Comment