Sitting on the bed in the ward of the labour room, at Kamla Nehru Hospital, the 45-year old mentally challenged women is totally devoid of any motherly affection for her new born baby.
The baby boy sleeps soundly, oblivious of his mother’s condition and future, while the mother gives a blank stare, looking at the walls, ceiling of the hospital and those who come near her.
Time to time the nurses come forward to help in breast feeding the child, owing to her condition.
Struggling to cope up with her condition, Mala (name changed) was sexually abused and was forced into the family way.
Communicating with her is not easy, as she tries mumbling insignificant things almost in whispers, aware of her surrounding and people around.
During her incoherent speech she said, “Kisi ne daraya (Someone has threatened).” Probe her more she says some person and just stares away, only to resume of talking irrelevant things and insists of going home.
Her sister-in-law, Nirmala sitting adjacent to her revealed that the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy is still unclear as Mala is not in a position to disclose anything owing to her mental condition. She had lost her mental balance a few years ago.Her husband died almost 19 years ago, she said.
“Last month after her pregnancy came to the notice of the villagersand I accompanied her to the hospital,” she said.Nirmalalives in another village.
A victim of rape, Mala hailing from a village adjoining Ramsher in Nalagarh came to the notice of a NGO, Sarv Shakti Sanghathan in Nalagarhand the NGO took initiative for her care after she was found to be pregnant.
“As she was abandoned to fend for herself, living in her two-room house, we wanted to ensure her care and took up the matter with Nalagarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate. An inquiry was done by the SDM, after which the police intervention was also sought considering her plight,” said Sarv Shakti Sanghathan director DurgaThapa.
Under police protection Mala, awaits to be discharged from the hospital, once all the legal formalities are completed.
KNH acting Medical Superintendent, BhishanDhiman said, “The new born and the mother are in good health. She has delivered a healthy baby boy on December 11 and the delivery was also normal.”
Superintended of Police, Baddi Rahul Nath said, “A case of rape has already been registered against unknown and soon a Special Investigation Team will be constituted to nab the culprit. The DNA of the child has been preserved. Needing medical care, she was shifted to hospital in Shimla.”
The relatives of the woman have come forward to take care of her, he added.