Killing of two dalit children: Mother ‘critical’, doctors fight to control infection

Rekha has been admitted to the hospital for the last six days, battling severe burns suffered in the attack.

The condition of the 23-year-old mother of two Dalit children who were killed in an alleged arson attack by Rajputs, worsened in Safdarjung hospital Monday evening, said sources. Doctors described Rekha’s condition as critical, added the sources.

Rekha has been admitted to the hospital for the last six days, battling severe burns suffered in the attack on their home in Sunpedh village, Faridabad. Sources said Rekha has severe infection from the burn wounds which doctors are struggling to control. “She is requiring multiple transfusions. The infection is spreading to her lungs and she needs oxygen support to sustain her breathing,” said a source.

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Till now doctors had said her condition was critical but stable. “As time progresses, controlling an infection in a burn wound is vital. We are trying our best, but her condition is now very critical,” added the source.

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Doctors said Rekha was also “struggling with the trauma” of her children’s deaths. “Till a few days ago, she would cry silently, sometimes ask her family how her children were coping… maybe the trauma has sunk in now, which is taking a severe toll on her,” said a source.

Rekha had sustained around 30 per cent burns in her lower face , and parts of her upper body. Her children, three-year-old Vaibhav and his sister, nine-month-old Divya, were rushed to Safdarjung hospital on October 20. Doctors at the hospital said the children, with 60-70 percent thermal burns, were declared dead on the spot. Their father, Jitender, sustained less than five per cent burns in his hands and was discharged after treatment.

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dalit killings