An 8-month-old infant, who was allegedly raped by her cousin on Sunday, was reported to be medically stable. She was moved to general ward from Intensive Care Unit on Wednesday where she was kept after going through a three-hour surgery, said a senior doctor from Kalawati Saran Hospital.

According to a senior doctor, the baby was brought to the hospital in a critical condition (with rectal and perineal tears or laceration), which was a clear indication of sexual assault. “In a long surgery, we repaired the tears and she is medically stable now, but overall mental and physical recovery will take a long time,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Swati Maliwal, DCW chief on Wednesday announced that she will be on 30-day-satyagraha (non violent protest) to urge the Centre and the state to address the issue of rising rape of children in the Capital and the country.

While addressing media Maliwal stated, “I and DCW team will not be going back home for the next 30 days and will work day and night to mark our protest.” She slammed the silence by the Centre which is responsible for maintaining the law and order in the Capital.

She listed out DCW demands and asked the Centre and the state to resolve the issues in 30 days.

The following are the demands put forth by the DCW: Necessary amendments should be made in Indian Penal Code and POCSO Act to ensure death penalty to rapist of children within six months; trials be conducted on day-to-day basis; setting up of more fast-track courts; concrete decision on proposals of seeking 66,000 additional personnel; deployment of 14,000 police personnel in the Capital; development of proper software for functioning of police and reports on all pending samples with the Forensic Science Laboratory and Revamp of Prosecution Department, Government of NCT Delhi.

The DCW chairperson claimed she had written several letters to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister and had also met the latter several times. “However not a single step has been taken by anyone,” she alleged while adding that the commission aimed to take its satyagraha to households to get one lakh signatures that would be sent to the PM.

Meanwhiile, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Women and Children (DCPCR) formed a team to keep a watch on the condition of the victim. It also urged Delhi Police to ensure protection of the victim’s family. Jyoti Rathi, member of DCPCR told The Statesman that: “Last year 190 cases under POCSO Act were registered in the Capital but only in 107 cases charge sheets were filed. In rest of the cases investigation is still going on.”