Lucknow, Dec 19 : An Uttar Pradesh policeman has been suspended after he and a colleague thrashed a 12-year-old girl accused of committing a theft, police said Saturday.

Sidharthnagar district Deputy Superintendent of Police D. N. Pandey told IANS that while Constable Raj Yadav was suspended, Sub-Inspector Ram Bharti had been sent to the police lines.    

The two allegedly beat the girl Friday in Khajua village, some 350 km from Lucknow. The girl is battling for life in a hospital, her distraught mother Kismati told reporters in Sidharthnagar.

"They dragged my daughter by her hair and started beating her mercilessly. Though she fainted, they kept on beating her and later took her to the police station.    

"At night, the policemen came to my house, dumped my daughter in an unconscious state and fled. She was bleeding profusely from the mouth and nose." (IANS)