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Judiciary steps in to tackle female foeticide

It is a shame, says Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice

Chandigarh: The judiciary in Punjab has stepped in to help eradicate the menace female foeticide.

Recently a small girl child was found unconscious by a sweeper. Apparently the child's family had left her to die in a garbage dump.

The child has been placed in the care of Pingla Ghar, a home for the homeless in Jalandhar.

"If such dishonourable acts happen in States like Punjab and Haryana, it is a shame for Punjabis. We should be united to curb this crime," said Justice Virender Jain, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Punjab Legal Services Authority recently organised a seminar called `Eradication of Female Foeticide' to tackle the menace.

Attended by legal experts and medical practitioners, the seminar stressed on the need for launching a multi-pronged drive to check female foeticide.

"If strict action is not taken to prevent female foeticide, then there will be a rise in rape cases, kidnappings and crime against women," said Dr. Paramjeet of the Patiala-based Government Medical College.

A skewed sex ratio of 888 women per 1000 men in the State has left the intellectuals and experts worried. There are some couples, however, who believe there should be no discrimination between a boy and a girl child.

Tahira, daughter of Ludhiana's Sameer and Karan Kaushal, enjoys every right of a girl. "People think that the girl will leave her home after marriage. Many believe that boys are a helping hand. But, there are many cases where boys have thrown their parents out or sent them to old-age homes. My personal experience tells me that girls are more emotionally attached to their parents than boys," Sameer said. ANI

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Judiciary steps in to tackle female foeticide

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