A 58-year-old Indian national became a victim of human rights violation in Saudi Arabia.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
In a heinous incident, hand of an Indian domestic help has been chopped off by her employer in Saudi Arabia.
Kasthuri Munirathinam, 58, who is from Mungileri village near Katpadi in Tamil Nadu, was allegedly tortured for over a month by her employer. When she tried to escape from the house, the employer went to the extent of chopping off her right hand, causing serious spinal injuries.
Later, Munirathinam was taken to a hospital in Riyadh by a driver and her condition is reported to be stable. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian officials were reported to have arrested the Saudi woman, the employer.
A video on a social networking site shows her in tears as she recalls the brutal assault. “I pleaded with the lady not to harm me but she kicked me, punched me and cut off my arm,” she said. “I want to go back home. Please help me.”
Meanwhile, India has strongly condemned the brutality that happened in Saudi Arabia. In a Twitter post, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj wrote, “We are very much disturbed over brutal manner in which Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia. This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities. Our embassy is in touch with the victim”.
After the incident came to light, Munirathinam’s family back in Chennai expressed their shocked and petitioned to the state government to initiate steps through the Indian Embassy to bring her back home.
The family told the media that Munirathinam was tortured and starved by her employer for many days.