Midwife Siro Devi is clinging to Monica Thatte, sobbing. Monica, in her late 20s, has returned to her birthplace - the Indian town where Siro has delivered hundreds of babies.

Midwife Siro Devi is clinging to Monica Thatte, sobbing. Monica, in her late 20s, has returned to her birthplace - the Indian town where Siro has delivered hundreds of babies. But this is no straightforward reunion. There is a painful history behind Siro's tears. Shortly before Monica was born, Siro and several Indian midwives like her were regularly pressured to murder newborn girls. Monica, evidence suggests, is one they saved.

Hakiya Devi, the eldest of the midwives I interviewed, told me at the time she had killed 12 or 13 babies. Another midwife, Dharmi Devi, admitted to killing more - at least 15-20.

“The family would lock the room and stand behind us with sticks,” says Hakiya Devi. “They’d say: ‘We already have four-five daughters. This will wipe out our wealth. Once we give dowry for our girls, we will starve to death. Now, another girl has been born. Kill her.’