JEYPORE/KORAPUT:Tension ran high at Kuduli in Koraput district with irate locals hitting the streets again demanding justice for the minor rape survivor and immediate arrest of the culprits.
The girl of Musaguda village under Potangi police limits was allegedly raped by four uniformed personnel near Sarispadar jungle on Tuesday sparking widespread resentment against the security forces. For the second consecutive day on Wednesday, the villagers of Musaguda under the aegis of Damba Samaj blocked Koraput-Visakhaptnam NH-26 near Kunduli demanding arrest of the accused. Movement of vehicular traffic on the highway was disrupted for several hours.
The agitators also demanded dismissal of the accused from service, compensation of `20 lakh to the minor girl, government job for kin of the girl and removal of security forces from Pottangi area. Owing to the road blockade, vehicular traffic on the route has been hit for the last 24 hours.
Four platoons of police force have been deployed at the spot to avert any untoward situation. Sub-Collector Krutibasha Rout urged the agitators to call off the road blockade but they refused to move until either the SP or Collector interacts with them over the issue.
According to reports, the girl, a Class IX student of Government Welfare School at Sarispadar, had gone to Kunduli village in connection with Aadhaar card in the morning. While returning home through Malimarla ghat road alone, four unidentified jawans dragged her to nearby jungle and raped her. The girl, who sustained serious injuries, managed to reach home and informed her mother. The villagers first took her to Kunduli PHC but later, she was rushed to Koraput medical college as her condition deteriorated. Her uncle GR Chati filed a police complaint.
Meanwhile, Jeypore legislator and Congress leader Taraprasad Bahinipati has announced to call for Koraput bandh if the accused are not arrested in the next two days. Koraput MP and district BJD president Jhina Hikaka said the State Government has already called for Crime Branch inquiry into the case and accused would be arrested soon.The girl is undergoing treatment at Laxman Nayak Medical College and her condition is stable.