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New Delhi: The
23-year-old physiotherapist, who was tortured and raped here by a
gang of men four days ago, is stable but doctors warned of
infection setting in, while Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit
said she could be taken abroad, if required.
But as angry protests continued for the third day Thursday in the
national capital and in other cities, investigators doubled their
efforts to nab the two accused still at large. Teams have fanned
out in six states.
Four men, who were arrested earlier for the horrific crime that
shook the nation, have, however, not shown any remorse,
investigators said.
"They behave like hardened criminals. They have not shown any
remorse for the beastly way they behaved with the woman," a
policeman questioning the four men, told IANS.
The savage rape and torture occurred Sunday night when the woman
and her male friend boarded a private bus, used for ferrying
school children, in south Delhi after watching a movie.
Her friend Thursday identified one of the accused Mukesh, younger
brother of main accused Ram Singh, as one of the men involved in
the gruesome attack.
The woman, however, continued to be critical although doctors in
the Safdarjung Hospital said her condition has stabilised and that
she was conscious.
"She continues to be in stable condition. She is alert,
conscious," B.D. Athani, medical superintendent of Safdarjung
Hospital, told reporters.
"But there is still a danger of her catching infection," he
cautioned.
But, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assured instant support.
"Her condition is very critical, she has a lot of injuries but if
there is a need to take her abroad to treat her and save her life,
we will not hesitate," she said.
Describing it as "one of the most tragic incidents" they had ever
seen, the doctors said they admire the fighting spirit of the
girl.
Calling her a "brave girl", Athani said she had withstood a lot of
suffering in the last few days and had undergone two surgeries
since her admission Sunday night. On Wednesday doctors conducted a
two-hour surgery to remove a section of the intestine that had
become gangrenous.
"She is fighting it out. The girl has an immense fighting
spirit... needless to say, because today (Thursday) is the fourth
day... she has sustained such grievous injury and remained alert
and withstood it all," Athani said.
The young woman, who hails from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, has been
communicating through notes to her parents.
"The culprits should be punished," she wrote in one note; in
another, she enquired after her male friend who had tried to
defend her and was beaten, another doctor told IANS.
Doctor said the woman knows there has been massive outpouring of
support for her.
"She is aware that MPs, students and women's rights activists have
come out and expressed support for her and the whole nation is
outraged," the doctor said.
The victim was serving as an intern at a private hospital here.
As the woman continues to be on ventilator and in intensive care
unit (ICU), women and men, old and young came out in large
numbers, carrying banners, outside the hospital, praying that she
recovers fast.
As the evening set in, hundreds of people set out again for India
Gate for the second successive day, demanding harsher punishment
to the culprits and justice for the victim. Carrying banners,
flaming torches and shouting slogans, they expressed anger that
two of the accused were still at large.
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