A pregnant tribal minor girl threw her new born into commode

Dantewada | Correspondent: In a heart-wrenching incident a 12-year-old Eklavya hostel student gave birth to a baby girl in Katekalyan block's community health centre's toilet.

Shockingly, she placed the new born in the commode and used the flush. Following which the newborn died due to suffocation as water entered her nose and ears.

The minor girl was admitted in the Katekalyan hospital a day before for treatment of anaemia, fever and breathing issues.

The girl when began getting into labor ran to the hospital's toilet where she gave birth to the child.

Later, hospital staff discovered the newborn triggereing panic. On further enquiries, the girl was immediately then referred to the Jagdalpur district hospital.

According to the hospital staff and doctors, the little was eight months old and her weight was more than two kilos.

However, the post-mortem of the newborn was completed in the district hospital which confirmed death due to water entering the nasal and ear passages.

Serious lapses by Hospital and School

The case raises serios question on both the healthcare system and the Eklavya authorities.

The Community Sub Healthcare center in Katekalyan where the girl was being treated, failed to detect her pregnancy.

Besides, even more troubling fact is that her mother herself is a Mitanin, a health worker who specifically works with pregnant women.

Yet she also could not identify about her daughter’s condition.

The girl had recently gone to her village after completing her class seventh exams and had not returned.

There arise questions on whether the school conducted proper routine checkups, as her pregnancy allegedly remained undetected for over six months.

Police Action and Investigation

Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai confirmed that the case is under deep investigation. He said the postmortem of the newborn has been conducted and the final report will provide more clarity.

The identity of the boy allegedly involved has been traced to Katekalyan, but he has not been arrested yet. Police assured that appropriate action will be taken soon based on the findings.

This tragic case has not only exposed gaps in the healthcare and education systems but also highlights the urgent need for better protection and monitoring of children, especially in residential schools in Tribal areas.

Not the first case

Such heart-wrenching incidents involving minor girls are unfortunately not new. In the past too, several similar cases have surfaced from different parts of the state, where underage girls, often from tribal or vulnerable communities, became victims of sexual exploitation and unplanned pregnancies in educational institutes and hostels.

Many times, due to fear, lack of awareness, or social pressure, these girls either hide their pregnancies or are unable to access timely help, resulting in tragic outcomes like unsafe deliveries or newborn deaths.