Minor house help 'stripped, forced to lick own blood' by Army major, wife in Assam

An Army major and his wife have been arrested in Assam's Dima Hasao district for allegedly torturing their domestic help, a top police officer said on Tuesday.

Dima Hasao SP Mayank Kumar said they received information on Sunday that the minor girl, who had accompanied the couple to Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, was "tortured brutally".

According to a NDTV report quoting sources, the girl's medical report revealed a fractured nose and deep cuts on her tongue. She was allegedly starved by the couple, who would make her eat from the garbage bin when she asked for food.

"She kept me locked me in a room, pulled my hair, and beat me. She was angry with my efficiency in household chores and beat me with a belan (rolling pin). She would strip me. She would beat me, and when I bled, she forced me to lick my own blood," the girl recounted the horror.

Mr Kumar said a case has been registered at the Haflong Police Station under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"During investigation, prima facie evidence was found against the Army major and his wife, and they were arrested in connection with the case and forwarded to judicial custody," the SP said.

He added that necessary assistance is being provided to the girl, including medical treatment.

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"Further probe is underway. Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation," Mr Kumar said.

(with PTI inputs)