Maid 'tortured'
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 25th September 2007

A HOUSEMAID allegedly battered with a stick by her female employer was yesterday recovering in hospital with a broken leg. Laxhmi Kanka, aged 36, from Andhra Pradesh, India, claims she was fed just once a day for the past two months. She claims she was duped into coming to Bahrain to work for a Bahraini family in Khamis.

However, sources said she was now facing arrest after her sponsor filed a counter-case against her accusing her of theft.

"The hospital has been directed to discharge her into the custody of the Khamis Police Station," added sources.

Ms Kanka said she arrived in Bahrain two months ago, leaving behind her two sons and husband, to supplement her family's income.

But she said she had been made to do work that she never anticipated she would have to do.

"Right after I landed in the country, I have been physically abused by the woman of the house and given only one meal a day," she told the GDN from her hospital bed yesterday.

"I did all I could, but with the regular beatings I could not take it any more."

She said she was beaten so severely last Tuesday her leg was fractured.

"I was beaten with a stick and cried in pain. My employer got scared and called the agent who brought me to the hospital."

Doctors treating Ms Kanka said she had bruises all over her body, as well as black eyes.

"It is clear that she has been abused," said one doctor.

"Her left leg is broken and needs immediate surgery."

However, he added that she was refusing to get the surgery done in Bahrain and wants to be sent to India for treatment.

"She is insisting she will travel to India and wants to be with her family," he said.

An Indian Embassy spokesman last night said officials were following the case.

"We will look at all the available evidence and call the sponsor for his side of the story," he said.

Migrant Workers Protection Society action committee head Marietta Dias said it would also help if it could.

"We are still not aware of the details, but will see what we can do," she said. mandeep@gdn.com.bh

© Gulf Daily News