Kendrapada: Two men were detained on Tuesday for the alleged gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh at knifepoint on Monday night, barely 200 metres from the Kendrapada SP's office.
The girl's mother lodged an FIR, alleging that the accused were drunk and that they dragged the minor to a secluded field near their roadside tent beside a state highway when she had stepped out at night to attend nature’s call. They then overpowered her and raped her, the complaint read. She also alleged the girl was assaulted when she tried to resist and was threatened with bodily harm if she informed anyone.
"We launched an investigation and detained two accused, aged 30 and 34. A case has been registered under various sections of the BNS and Pocso Act," said SP Sidhartha Kataria.
Police said the minor's family, from Raipur district in Chhattisgarh, was living in the tent for the past three months while selling brooms. A team was formed to probe the case, CCTV footage from nearby areas was examined and a scientific team inspected the spot on Tuesday. The minor's audio-video statement was also recorded, police added.
Congress, BJD and CPM functionaries condemned the incident. Congress district president Debasmita Sharma said the incident raised fresh concerns about women's safety. Kendrapada MLA and BJD leader Ganeswar Behera targeted the BJP-led state govt, alleging a collapse of public safety. CPM district secretary Gayadhar Dhal claimed crimes have risen sharply.
BJP district president Sasanka Sekhar Sethi said police acted promptly and alleged opposition parties were politicising the case.
