Locals on Tuesday blocked the Visakhapatnam-Raipur NH here for several hours protesting the alleged murder and rape of a Dalit woman on Monday night.
The woman, belonging to Kristinpeta area, was missing since Monday morning when she was on her way to Jeypore SBI branch. Later in the night, her body was found near an irrigation canal. Police seized the body, but autopsy could not be conducted.
On Tuesday morning when police claimed that the woman had died of lightning, the locals staged a road blockade alleging that the police were trying to hush up the matter. They also alleged that two youths, who were harassing the woman several times in the past, might have committed the crime.
The agitators were pacified after senior personnel of Jeypore police and local Tehsildar rushed to the spot and assured parents of the deceased of justice. Police said they were awaiting autopsy report to decide their next course of action.