'A few thousands will not last long, I need govt job,' says athlete who lost leg

Bareilly/New Delhi: Twenty three-year-old national level volleyball player Arunima Sinha, who lost her leg after being thrown out of a train by robbers, today demanded a government job saying that a "small compensation" will not help her. (Read and Watch: 25K - Govt's offer for athlete who lost leg)

"A few thousand rupees cannot last long. I have a full life to live and what I need is not small compensation but a permanent government job," Arunima said from her hospital bed. (Your Comments)

Arunima, alias Sonu, lost her leg after she was pushed out of the Padmavat Express in Bareilly on Monday night by three men trying to rob her. She was travelling to Delhi to appear for an examination to get a CISF job.

She is now in hospital. ''I fell on the adjoining track, but could not get up. I was too late. I saw a train come and run over my left leg. The villagers found me and brought me to this hospital,'' said Arunima.

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"I think my dreams will never be fulfilled...I just don't want to be a burden...I should make myself strong," she told NDTV. (Watch)

Sports Minister Ajay Maken has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 for Arunima. He has also said he will write to the Home Ministry asking for a suitable job for her.

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"We have written to the Railway Ministry. We are giving her ex-gratia of Rs 25000 immediately. If needed, we will provide financial assistance as and when needed. We have directed the Sports Authority of India to go and meet her and Rs 25000 assistance will be provided to her by the evening," he said. (Watch)

"I am also going to write to the Home Ministry...since she was going for recruitment of CISF...now she is no longer a player so she should be given the job....Railways should also give compensation...we have asked them for a investigation," he added.

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The police have registered a case of attempt to murder against unidentified persons but none of her attackers have been traced so far. The Railways has announced a reward of Rs 15000 for anyone who provides information on the incident, particularly on people who pushed Arunima from the moving train.

Arunima is a student at Awadh University. She is also the sole earning member of a family of five. Arunima's sister Laxmi says her condition is stable, though she has fever. "Doctors have asked us to wait for two days after which Arunima might undergo surgery, if needed," Laxmi said.

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"I want to appeal to the state government to ensure better security for women traveling in trains so that such tragic incidents do not happen again with anyone," she added. Laxmi further said that a Railway Protection Force official visited Arunima in the hospital and gave her Rs 5,000 for treatment. (Watch: A sister's appeal)

He told her that a probe was on into the incident. "Till now the treatment is almost free. We have to spend a nominal amount," she added.

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"A high-level inquiry by a four-member team has been ordered to probe into the incident which will submit its report within a week's time," Deputy Divisional Railway Manager (Moradabad) A K Singhal said after meeting Arunima at the hospital.

The committee would include commandant Railway Protection Force, divisional safety officer, divisional operating manager and engineer. Singhal gave her Rs 5,000 as immediate relief.

In New Delhi, Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai told a press conference that all possible medical assistance will be provided to Arunima. (With PTI Inputs)

IF YOU WANT TO HELP ARUNIMA, PLEASE SEND IN YOUR CHEQUE IN FAVOUR OF -

Arunima Sinha
A/C No. 30867954764
State Bank of India
Branch: Shehzadpur, Akbarpur
District: Ambedkarnagar
Uttar Pradesh
India