India: Father 'buried his 10-year-old daughter alive because he resented not having a son'

A father has been arrested after he allegedly attempted to kill his 10-year-old daughter by burying her alive in the northeast Indian province of Tripura.

Her life was saved when police were alerted in time by locals in the village of Putia, where Abul Hussein was said to be burying his daughter up to her chest in the backyard of his home.

Her hands were reportedly tied and her mouth was taped, according to India Today.

"We received a call from a villager telling us that a man was trying to kill his daughter by burying her alive. Our team immediately reached the house and found Rukshena," said senior police official Pradip Dey.

"We rescued her and arrested Abul Hussein for attempted murder. He is now in judicial custody until his trial."

Police said Hussein had resented having a daughter and was desperate for a son.

Neighbours pulled her from the ground and beat Hussein before police arrived.

Rukshena has since been discharged from hospital after falling seriously ill.

Many families in India consider daughters to be economic burdens while sons are seen as breadwinners.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently launched the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' scheme ('Save Girl Child, Educate Girl Child') to address gender imbalance and discrimination against daughters.

Modi pleaded with the people to save daughters, to fight female foeticide, and celebrate the birth of a girl and educate them.

"People say in old age sons come in handy. Had that been true, so many old age homes would not have opened. Sons have cars and bungalows and yet, many times, parents remain in old age homes.

"On the other hand, there are innumerable daughters who work hard to keep their parents happy. If girls get the chance, they perform better than boys."