Bihar low caste girl pays bloody price for hunger

The attack took place in a village in Bhagalpur district last week in impoverished eastern Bihar where caste prejudice against Dalits -- formerly called "untouchables" -- is widespread and sometimes results in violence against them.

Police in Bhagalpur said they would soon arrest the upper-caste landowner who used a sickle to wound the girl whose name was given as "Khushboo".

"We will get results. This is terrible," Superintendent of Police JS Gangwar was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

Khushboo's father said that he and his wife -- both labourers -- had nothing to eat in their house so they sent their daughter to collect herbs that grew along a railway line.

"She just strayed (to the landlord's field) and plucked a few leaves," Sukho Ram was quoted as saying.