Death of Sumila Ronghangpi

Sumila was brought to her employer Borthakur's house in 2017 with the promise of education. On 22 April 2021, she was found charred to death in her employer's house. As per a neighbour, her employer and his son were present at time of her death, and she was occasionally abused too. Her employer stated it was a suicide case.[4]

Two of Ronghangpi's employers have been arrested in the case related to her death. Initial investigation revealed she was murdered and then burned to cover up the murder.[1][2][3]

The victim was 12 years old, underage from the tribal Karbi community, employed as domestic help, a resident of Sar Kro Kudam Ronghang village in West Karbi Anglong, Assam. The death of Sumila Ronghangpi created hue and cry among various tribes of Assam. Protests and processions were held seeking justice for Sumila Ronghangpi.[5] Social organisations spoke out against the failure of government in the protection of women.[6] The incident happened against the backdrop of violence against women in India. The incident exposed endemic cases of child abuse, death, neglecting children's right to education, exploitation of children from rural areas in the name of education, employing children below 14 years as domestic help in urban places.[7][8]

• 22 April 2021 - Sumila Ronghangpi found dead.[1]
• 26 April 2021 - Probe ordered and to report back within 30 days.[1]
• 9 July 2021 - Proposed establishment of a school in honour of Sumila Ronghangpi. [9]
• 20 July 2021 - Chargesheet filed and submitted to lower court.[10]

• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
• Child labour in India
• Violence against women in India