Khaprakhol: A tribal family was forced to return home leaving behind their newborn at Secunderabad Gandhi Hospital in Andhra Pradesh after the pregnant woman brick-kiln worker died after delivering a baby at the hospital. The matter came to the fore after the victim’s family members approached the sub-collector and narrated their ordeal.
The woman was identified as Bhumika (20), wife of Bishnu Banchor of Baghajharan village under this block in Kalahandi district. According to sources, Bishnu along with his pregnant wife Bhumika, minor son Badal (2) and his in-laws left to work at a brick-kiln in Andhra Pradesh after being lured by a middleman.
After working in the brick-kiln for two months, Bhumika who was pregnant experienced labour pain. Bishnu admitted her to a hospital where she delivered a baby boy. However, Bhumika’s health condition worsened due to excess blood loss following which she died in the hospital. The baby was also admitted to SNCU department in the hospital for proper care.
After Bhumika’s death, the brick-kiln owner seized all gold ornaments after Bishnu approached him for help. He forced the family to bury the body in the brick-kiln itself and sent him back to their village.
When family members tried to take the newborn with them, the brick-kiln owner declared that the baby was dead and forced them to board a train giving them only `3,000. Availing no options, the family returned to their village.
On learning the family’s plight, locals sympathised with Bishnu and urged the administration to rescue the newborn. “Necessary compensation will be provided to the family and the newborn will be rescued soon,” the sub-collector assured. PNN
