BANKE/TIKAPUR: Thirteen-year-old Sharada Chaudhari of Shaktinagar in Tikapur-forced to work in the landlord’s house to feed her family-never imagined the conditions she would be forced to live in.

After interminable torture on top of the heavy work load an emaciated and seriously injured Sharada was admitted to the emergency ward of Kohalpur Teaching Hospital in Nepalgunj.

She was taken to Kathmandu by Krishnakaji Shrestha, a resident of Kalanki on December 16 with the promise of Rs 1,300 remuneration per month. With much difficulty, she said from the hospital bed, “There was not a single day I was

not beaten.” She also said that Chandrakaji and

his wife used to burn

her fingers in the gas stove accusing her of not working.

“They used to beat me for trivial mistakes, lock me up inside the bathroom throughout the night and feed me leftovers.” According to the nurses, Sharada is scared even during her sleep. They said she had fever, scars of injuries on her body. Apart from this, her stomach was bloated due to torture.

Born poor, Sharada has a mother and five siblings at home. As the family could not afford even basic needs, Sharada was taken to Kathmandu as a kamalari, bonded domestic labour.

A seriously ill Sharada was brought back to her house in Tikapur on April 6. Upon seeing her condition, her neighbours took her to Kohalpur Hospital.

Following the complaint lodged by neighbours, Shrestha, who arrived at Kohalpur, was arrested on Wednesday and released on the same day. According to Narendra Chanda, inspector, Area Police Office, Tikapur, Shrestha was released on the condition that he would pay for the girl’s treatment.