Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092950020100.htm

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Protests over ‘rape’ of nursing student

Staff Reporter

– Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Expressing ire: Activists of political parties staging a dharna in front of the Government General Hospital (Gunadala) seeking action in the alleged rape of a nursing college student, in Vijayawada on Sunday.

VIJAYAWADA: An 18-year-old nursing student of the Government Medical College here has been admitted to the Government General Hospital (GGH) here, even as her relatives alleged that she was raped on the college premises on September 17.

Tension prevailed when activists of different parties and women’s organisations descended on the hospital after learning about the incident and staged a dharna demanding action against culprits.

Tough time for police

Police had a tough time clearing the agitators from the hospital.

Assistant Commissioner of Police N. Ramachandra Murthy said the police received a complaint from the relatives but they had not yet established whether the girl was raped. The student, who was in a semi-conscious condition, was unable to narrate what had happened.

The issue came to light on Sunday when a few relatives disclosed the matter to the media. According to them, the girl, pursuing first year of General Nursing Medical Education (GNME) course, was staying in the hostel attached to the college, located adjacent to the GGH complex in Gunadala.

Mother’s charge

Her mother Nagamani told reporters: “I have gathered information from a few students who told me that my daughter was sent out by the hostel staff on that night stating that some of her relatives had come for her. When the girl went out, three boys dragged her to the bushes and raped her.”

Ms. Nagamani said the girl was admitted to the special ward and was discharged the next day.

“The doctors did not even prepare a case-sheet and asked her to leave,” she alleged.