Nagpur: A 25-year-old employee of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) working at a weigh bridge at Umred was allegedly gang-raped and thrashed by some drivers transporting coal, at the company’s outlet on Tuesday.
Police have rounded up two drivers for their involvement in the crime.
According to sources, the survivor was filling in for a colleague at the weigh bridge. She was working alone as others were on leave. The survivor went to a nearby toilet made of bamboo when some of the drivers present at the spot noticed her. They followed the woman, thrashed her, and also pierced her eyes.
After some time, some of the employees rushed her to a private hospital in Umred, but she was referred to a hospital in Nagpur. Sources said her condition is critical.
WCL unions have sought strict action against the perpetrators. Deepak Chaudhary, a leader of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, has questioned the security arrangements made by the company for women employees.
“How can a woman staffer be left alone at the weigh bridge? Even the toilet she used was a makeshift arrangement due to which the rapists could easily gain entry,” he said.
SQ Zama, a leader of Rashtriya Koyala Khadan Mazdoor Sangh (RKKMS), has asked for stricter action against the accused. The victim was a land oustee whose family land was taken over for a mining project by WCL.
The survivor had serious injuries on her face and scalp. She also sustained multiple facial fractures. Hospital sources confirmed the sexual assault.
It is learnt that the drivers were drunk at the time of the incident.
