Security forces rescue woman with burns from remote village in Bastar, carry her on makeshift stretcher

RAIPUR: In a striking show of humanitarian intervention during an anti-Maoist operation, a Special Task Force (STF) team rescued a severely burnt tribal woman from a remote village in Dantewada district and carried her out on a makeshift stretcher through difficult terrain to get her urgent medical care.

The security personnel were out on search operation when they found this woman in critical condition in a village. She had reportedly suffered serious burn injuries 10 to 15 days ago after accidentally falling into a fire while warming herself.




Officials said the STF team, led by company commander Om Prakash Sen, had reached the remote Purangel village and found a woman in a critical condition.

Police said the woman had sustained severe burns from the waist upwards and her condition had deteriorated due to lack of timely medical treatment. The STF personnel immediately extended ration and financial help to her family and launched a rescue effort.

With no easy motorable access, the jawans improvised a stretcher using a cot and carried the injured woman on their shoulders through the rugged route to Hiroli village. An ambulance, called in advance, shifted her from Hiroli to Kirandul hospital.

Doctors at Kirandul hospital provided primary treatment and referred her to the district hospital in Dantewada after assessing the seriousness of her injuries. She was later admitted there for further treatment.

According to doctors, the woman has suffered around 40% to 50% burns. Since the injuries were several days old and had not been properly treated, maggot infestation had also set in at the affected areas, making her condition more serious.

Officials said the injured woman also has a three-month-old infant son. Security personnel not only ensured that she was taken to hospital, but also coordinated with the hospital administration to make sure that both the mother and child received proper care.

Her treatment is currently underway under specialist supervision.

STF superintendent of police Trilok Bansal praised the team’s action, saying the personnel displayed deep human sensitivity during an anti-Naxal operation.

“Our primary objective is to restore peace in the region, but also to ensure the safety and assistance of local villagers as it develops trust among people. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !