Death of Sumila Ronghangpi
On 22 April 2021, an underage housemaid, Sumila Ronghangpi (Assamese: চুমিলা ৰংহাংপী) was found charred to death in her employer's house in Raha, Assam. She was resident of West Karbi Anglong district.[1][2][3]
Death[edit]
Sumila was brought to her employer Borthakur's house in 2017 with the promise of education. On 22 April 2021, she was found charred to death in her employer's house. As per a neighbour, her employer and his son were present at time of her death, and she was occasionally abused too. Her employer stated it was a suicide case.[4]
Arrests[edit]
Two of Ronghangpi's employers have been arrested in the case related to her death. Initial investigation revealed she was murdered and then burned to cover up the murder.[1][2][3]
Repercussion[edit]
The victim was 12 years old, underage from the tribal Karbi community, employed as domestic help, a resident of Sar Kro Kudam Ronghang village in West Karbi Anglong, Assam. The death of Sumila Ronghangpi created hue and cry among various tribes of Assam. Protests and processions were held seeking justice for Sumila Ronghangpi.[5] Social organisations spoke out against the failure of government in the protection of women.[6] The incident happened against the backdrop of violence against women in India. The incident exposed endemic cases of child abuse, death, neglecting children's right to education, exploitation of children from rural areas in the name of education, employing children below 14 years as domestic help in urban places.[7][8]
Timeline[edit]
- 22 April 2021 - Sumila Ronghangpi found dead.[1]
- 26 April 2021 - Probe ordered and to report back within 30 days.[1]
- 9 July 2021 - Proposed establishment of a school in honour of Sumila Ronghangpi. [9]
- 20 July 2021 - Chargesheet filed and submitted to lower court.[10]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Dutta, Devabrata (27 April 2021). "Assam governor constitutes enquiry committee to investigate Sumila Ronghangpi's death". InsideNE. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ a b Sai, Rana Pratap (23 April 2021). "Karbi domestic help charred to death in Assam; 2 employers arrested by police". InsideNE. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ a b Rongpi, Vivian Longki (24 April 2021). "Minor girl reportedly burned alive in Nagaon district". Eastern Mirror. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ Sai, Rana Pratap (24 April 2021). "Karbi student body suspects domestic servant was raped & murdered; demands 'justice' from CM". InsideNE. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Assam: Motorcycle rally demanding justice for Sumila Ronghangpi draws out hundreds". The North East Today. 1 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021 – via TNT Bureau.
- ^ "Karbi girl death incident draws serious repercussion". The Assam Tribune. 24 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ Chakravartty, Anupam (24 April 2021). "Assam: Karbi girl's killing exposes horrors of child abuse in Nagaon". East Mojo. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ Dutta, Devabrata (27 April 2021). "Pradyot Manikya seeks justice for Sumila Ronghanpi; says Assam govt must act". InsideNE. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ Rongpi, Vivian Longki (9 July 2021). "Assam's Education Minister takes stock of issue related to education in Karbi Anglong". Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.
- ^ Chakravartty, Anupam (20 July 2021). "Karbi girl murder: Gauhati HC asks govt to submit chargesheet by July 22". EastMojo. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021.