Though doctors at the Government Wenlock Hospital have carried out all tests and found her fit for discharge, 40-year-old Yellamma, a worker with Antony Waste Handling Pvt. Ltd., who was allegedly assaulted on Friday by ‘Yemmekere’ Salam, does not want to leave as the police are yet to arrest the assailant.
Yellamma, a mother of five and wife of a roadside tea vendor, was assaulted by Salam for delay in removing the waste disposal vehicle that was blocking his vehicle on M.R. Bhat Road in Jeppu here on Friday. “I told him to wait for a minute as I was loading waste from a place of worship,” she recalled.
Yellamma said that Salam got agitated and abused her. He reportedly slapped her and rained blows on her chest. Passers-by intervened and called the Manglauru South Police. “After lodging a complaint, I got admitted to the Wenlock Hospital,” she said.
Harassed by doctors
Yellamma said that she was being harassed by doctors at the hospital to get discharged as tests have shown no internal injury. “But I still have problems with my ears and have pains in my chest. There is also pain in my legs,” she said.
Yellamma’s relative Gundappa said that they do not want to get Yellamma discharged as the police are yet to act against Salam. “She will be safe. Our union (of Antony Waste Handling Private Limited Drivers and Labourers) has advised us against getting her discharged,” Mr. Gundappa said, and added the union would hold a rally soon demanding action. “It is an issue of safety of women workers involved in waste management,” he said.
Ruling out any harassment to Yellamma, Wenlock Hosptial Superintendent H.R. Rajeshwari Devi said that she will remain in the hospital till she recovers completely.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central) Bhaskar V.B. said that a case under Section 354 (assault with an intention to outrage modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code has been registered against Salam, who is reportedly at large since Friday. A police team has been entrusted the task of tracing him.