The young athlete who lost her leg after being thrown out of a train by robbers, on Thursday, demanded a government job, saying "small compensation" will not help her, even as the Railways ordered a high-level probe into the incident.
"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," 23-year-old Arunima Sinha, a national-level football and volleyball player, said from her hospital bed.
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 when she was travelling to Delhi to appear for an examination.
She said her dreams have been shattered.
"My problem is that I won't be able to realise my dreams. I am thinking of how to fulfil my dreams," she said.
Arunima's sister Laxmi said her condition was stable, though she had fever.
"Doctors have asked us to wait for two days after which Arunima might undergo surgery, if needed," Laxmi said.
"I want to appeal to the state government to ensure the security of women traveling in trains so that such tragic incidents do not happen again with anyone," Arunima's sister Lakshmi said.
Lakshmi said a RPF official visited her in the hospital at about 2.30 am and gave her Rs 5,000 for treatment. 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.
A case under section 307 (attempt to murder) and 393 (attempt to robbery) of the IPC has been registered against unidentified persons by the Government Railway Police.
"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 time," Deputy Divisional Railway Manager (Moradabad) A K Singhal said after meeting Arunima at the hospital.
The committe 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. The Railways is also talking to some NGOs to get her prosthetic leg.
The compensation will be given to her by the Railway Claims Tribunal. It will decide about the amount, he said but did not give any assurance that she will be given a job by Railways.