Assam: Nurse accused of brutally assaulting orphaned child in Morigaon hospital quarters; minor rescued

A shocking case of alleged child abuse by a nurse inside the residential quarters of a government hospital in Assam’s Morigaon district has triggered widespread outrage.

The disturbing incident reportedly unfolded at the staff quarters of the state hospital at Meruwa Gaon in Dharamtul, where a young orphaned child was allegedly subjected to repeated physical torture by the very person who had taken the child in to raise.

According to local residents, a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) nurse, Yagneshwari Medhi, who is posted at the hospital, allegedly subjected the child to brutal physical abuse over an extended period. The nurse had reportedly taken in the child—said to be an orphan with no surviving parents—and was raising the minor at her residence within the hospital quarters.

However, residents claim that instead of providing care and protection, the child was frequently beaten and subjected to severe physical punishment. The alleged cruelty came to light after neighbours noticed signs of repeated abuse and raised alarm over the child’s condition.

Acting on the information, a patrolling team from Dharamtul Police Station, along with members of Childline India, rushed to the hospital premises and intervened in the matter.

Subsequently, officials from the Morigaon District Child Protection Unit, with the support of local residents, conducted a rescue operation and safely removed the child from the custody of the alleged abuser.

The rescued minor has since been placed under protective care, while authorities have begun assessing the circumstances under which the child was living and the extent of the alleged abuse.

Speaking on the matter, Dr. Anshuman Shandilya, the senior medical officer of the hospital, confirmed that officials cooperated with the rescue team during the intervention. Members of the child protection team also briefed the media about the operation and stated that further procedures would be carried out in accordance with child welfare laws.