Authorities in the Indian state of Punjab recently made a grotesque discovery that has prompted public outrage and a government crackdown. Acting on a tip, police and health officials raided a private clinic and found a 30-foot well with over 50 female fetuses inside.

Although it is illegal to terminate a pregnancy based on sex, Punjab has 776 girls for every thousand boys under the age of 6?the largest gender differential in India.


BBC News:

Galvanised into action by the horrifying spectacle of decomposing foetuses and subsequent reports in local newspapers and television channels, squads of police and health officials conducted simultaneous raids on dozens of private hospitals and ultrasound centres.

The raids are specifically targeting smaller clinics, many located in nondescript, small townships and settlements, like Sahib Hospital.

“I have directed my men to seal all unauthorised hospitals and diagnostic centres,” the civil surgeon responsible for health services in the district, Virender Singh Mohi, said.

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