TN Nurse attacked, sexually assaulted by youth while returning from hospital

Tiruchy: After completing her duties at the Orathur Primary Health Centre in Lalgudi block, a 45-year-old nurse was followed by a 25-year-old youth who allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted her while she was returning home. She is currently undergoing treatment after sustaining severe injuries from the assault.

The incident took place on October 31st evening when the nurse was on her way home after completing her duties at the hospital. It was at the same time, that the accused was following her and sexually assaulted her about two kilometres from the health centre.

Following the attack, she was hospitalised with severe injuries at the Lalgudi government hospital and later shifted to MGMGH, where she is currently undergoing treatment.

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Afterwards, a complaint was filed at Lalgudi police and a case was registered under relevant sections of BNS. Acting on the FIR, the police arrested the youth and sent him to Tiruchy Central Prison on Friday.

The shocking incident has triggered outrage among the nurse community leading to Tamil Nadu MRB Nurses Welfare Association staging a protest in front of Trichy district collector's office here on Monday, demanding strict action against the youth and robust safety measures to protect healthcare workers.

Demanding strict security measures to protect nurses at all government hospitals, the association told The Hindu, "Though CCTVs were installed at the hospitals, it must be ensured that they functioned without a hitch. During night shifts, as only nurses would be present at the hospitals, security guards should be appointed to make sure only people in need were entering the hospital premises.

“When a doctor is raped and murdered in Kolkata, the whole country boiled with anger questioning women’s safety, but now when a nurse is attacked no one seems to care about her safety,”

SK Sujatha, state deputy general secretary of the nurses association told TNIE, “We were committed to serving the public even on Deepavali, yet now, one of our own is hospitalised with severe injuries. Ensuring our safety should be a priority. Many of us work night shifts in constant fear, often dealing with individuals in the inebriated state who threaten us, but rural public health centres lack dedicated security."

“Though the incident occurred outside the facility, it highlights the need for police patrol in high-risk rural zones. If measures are not taken, we risk a repeat of RG Kar hospital incident here,” said S Navaneethan, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association.

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