Woman lecturer critical, Hinganghat shut, citizens hit the roads

Over 36 hours after a 24-year woman college lecturer was burnt on a road by married spurned suitor, the victim’s condition was described as ‘extremely critical’ even as thousands of citizens took to the streets and the town observed a spontaneous shutdown here on Tuesday.

As the matter reverberated in Lok Sabha today, the victim’s weeping family demanded that the accused – Vicki Nagrale, 27 – should be handed over to the people for meting out similar justice by burning him publicly.

The incident happened around 7.15 am on Monday (Feb. 3) outside her college and by the time she was rushed from a Primary Health Centre to the specialized Orange City Hospital & Research Institute, Nagpur, her oxygen levels had plummeted to dangerously low levels.

“The woman has suffered deep burns on her face, scalp, neck, right shoulder, left hand, upper back, eyes and respiratory system. Yesterday, she underwent a tracheostomy, debridement, escharectomy and burns dressing. She has suffered 35-40 percent Grade III deep dermal burns with respiratory distress and inhalational injuries with related complications,” OCHRI Director (Dr) Anup Marar told IANS today (Feb. 4).

He described her condition as “very critical” though she is holding onto her vital parameters with intensive care and oxygen support of five litres per minute.

Wardha Guardian Minister Sunil Kedar, Hinghanghat MLA Samir Kunnawar and others visited the hospital to enquire after her condition.

Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said that the case will be transferred to a fast track court to ensure speedy justice, while Energy Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Nitin Raut has assured all help to the victim’s family.

Several thousands of people comprising men, women, schoolkids, college students, youth, political activists, business community and others trooped out on the streets of Hinghanghat, to protest against the incident.

Many women and girls were seen crying as they staged the silent protests and several people demanded instant capital punishment to the accused for the gruesome crime.

Meanwhile, the accused Nagrale was produced by police before a local court which remanded him to police custody for five days.-IANS news/ QUAID NAJMI