l Victim of police brutality, banks of human generosity not govt help for treatment l Drunk constable arrested but no medical test done to probe sexual assault l Mother Teresa charity home taking care after Provedoria refused to admit her to govt old age home
VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: She weeps when a visitor inquires about her well-being. Senior citizen Abida Beig was a victim of police brutality a when a constable, in a drunk state subjected her to physical and mental torture for no fault of her’s.
Her jaw broke, she sustained deep wounds on her back and hands, and is still traumatized after what she faced that even a brief thought of the incident sends shivers down spines. It’s been over a month that constable Amjad Karol — who now stands suspended — dragged the lady, stripped her naked and beat her mercilessly.
Nearly 25 days of treatment in the Goa Medical College and Hospital, the 70-year-old destitute was shifted to Mother Teresa old age home Missionaries of Charity, last weekend after government failed to provide her shelter. Her treatment expenses were also borne by some locals who generously contributed money.
Beig is unable to speak well but she attempts to speak recalling the incident. “Usne dabaya… mere kapde utare…” she told this reporter as she wept on the wheel chair.
While the police higher ups were quick to initiate disciplinary action against the constable, it is surprising that medical test to ascertain sexual assault on her was not done. As per the amended Indian Penal Code, he could be arrested and tried for rape.
The weak and feeble woman is put on liquid diet and water, fed to her through a feeding tube. Being unable to even stand strong, sisters in the Missionary of Charity have been taking care ensuring she recovers soon.
She now wants to eat ‘fried sardines’ to change the food taste saying she does not like to be on liquid food. But her attendees say they cannot go against medical advice.
“The Sisters have asked us not to worry about her stay. They are taking care of her and we visit her regularly. We are seeing improvement in her health,” activist Sabina Martins who raised the issue to attract attention of the government for the welfare of the destitute, disclosed.
The attendees say the elderly lady is put to sleep as and when she wants to rest and is given bath daily besides her diet plan being taken care of.
While undergoing treatment, Martins explained the difficulty they faced from the government authorities during the entire process. “The government-run Provedoria refused to admit her to the old age home without her identity proof. Now how will the destitute who is going through a bad health condition, get the certificates confirming her identity? We then approached the local police station who forced us to run from post to pillar after which we managed to get a letter from the women police station. It was thereafter that she was admitted to the charity home,” she said.
