Women's Safety In India: Girl Dead, Mother Hurt After Being Thrown Off Bus For Resisting Molestation

A teenage girl, traveling with her mother and younger brother, died Wednesday in the north Indian state of Punjab after being thrown off a moving bus for resisting molestation, local media reports said. Three men, including two bus staff, have been arrested in the case.

The incident took place in Moga district, nearly 90 miles from the capital Chandigarh. The girl and her mother reportedly protested against the harassment by a group of men in the bus, and also complained to the driver who allegedly did not respond.

Police reportedly said that they have seized the bus.

The girl's mother, who was unconscious for several hours at a local hospital after suffering injuries during the incident, said on Thursday, "They kept abusing us. No one helped. They first pushed my daughter off the bus, then me." According to reports, the bus assistant molested the 38-year-old woman.

The bus had few passengers when the incident took place, local news network NDTV reported.

The latest case has again raised concerns over women's safety in India.

"This is a very painful incident. As per the information received, the bus (involved in the incident) belonged to some company of Punjab Government chief's family member. In such a situation, I don't think the state government will be able to provide any help to the sufferers," Mayawati, an Indian politician, reportedly said. "I would like the higher authorities to take charge of the case and punish the guilty. The mother and daughter were initially molested and were thrown out of the bus on protesting."

The incident follows the December 2012 gang rape where a student was brutally assaulted on a bus in India's capital New Delhi, after which she succumbed to her injuries. The case had led to huge public outcry and prompted the government to announce several steps to ensure safety of women on public transport.