Three dowry deaths in 3 months in Saptari

LAHAN, Aug 6: Despite nationwide campaigns to end violence against women, dowry disputes continue to take its toll on hapless women. Three women have been killed over dowry disputes in less than three months in Saptari.



Rani Devi Mishra (28) of Bhardaha VDC- 4 of Saptari was the latest victim. Mishra died on June 21 after being beaten and tortured by her in-laws. [break]



Rani Devi had married Nirpit Mishra in February 2002. After her parents´ death, her husband and in-laws had asked her to transfer her parents´ property into their name. She refused and was killed.



Likewise, Sushila Ram (20) of Malekpur VDC- 6 of Saptari too died under mysterious circumstances in April 2011. Her father-in-law performed her last rites at a nearby pond within a few hours after her death. Her maternal relatives had filed a complaint against her in-laws as they did not wait for them or her husband, who lived in Udayapur because of his job, to perform her last rites.



Similarly, Bibha Devi Mandal (22) of Chinnamasta- 7 of Saptari died on March 26, 2011 after being beaten by her husband Puran Mandal, mother-in-law Phulo Devi Mandal and brother-in-law Kamlesh Mandal for not getting enough dowries. She had been married fifteen months ago. Police is investigating into her death following her maternal relatives´ complaint.



Last year, four women lost their lives in dowry related violence in Saptari.

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