Dumped baby burnt at garbage heap

FAISALABAD: A newborn baby bore the brunt of the heartlessness of ‘unidentified persons’ in Chak Jhumra, a town near Faisalabad. She was burnt at a garbage dump on Tuesday when sanitary workers set the combustible heap on fire. The infant was discovered wrapped in a polythene bag when her screams were heard by passersby.

“The sanitary workers put the garbage heap on fire,” said a police official. “As the flames spread, the girl sustained serious injuries and began to scream,” he said, adding that she was dumped near alFajar Meraj Hall on Jhumra-Faisalabad Road by ‘unidentified persons’.

The sanitary workers began to rummage through the garbage when they heard the infant’s wails. Moments later, they discovered her buried in trash. She was in a polythene carrying bag. “The baby was immediately shifted to the Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, where doctors are striving to save her life,” the police said.

At the emergency ward of the hospital, Dr Firdous Rasheed said, “The newborn baby received burn injuries over 80% of her body. Intensive care is being provided to her but her condition is precarious.”  District Coordination Officer (DCO) Noorul Amin Mengal nominated District Coordination Officer (DCO) Akram Bhatti as inquiry officer to investigate the case. He has been notified to submit his findings at the earliest. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Nawaz Warraich directed the Chak Jhumra police to ensure all measures are taken to arrest the culprits. The SHO of Chak Jhumra police station said no arrest has been made so far.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2013.