Baripada: Tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj has witnessed a sudden spurt in rape cases relating to minor girls. Incidentally, most of these crimes were committed by inebriated accused, a report said.
In the last 20 days, four minor girls were raped. But unofficial sources said that more than 10 rape incidents have taken place during that period. The accused were either kin or acquaintances of the victims.
The accused in all the four cases have been arrested.
In most cases, there had been attempts to settle the matter in the villages and not report the crime to the police. Only a few cases come to the fore and police stations when the villagers fail to settle the issues themselves.
On the other hand, the cases that are settled in the villages seldom come to the notice of the public.
Chaitanay Singh of Khunta area and his friend had gone to a relative’s house and brought a 13-year-old girl, January 1. The minor girl was Singh’s niece. Unfortunately, the two allegedly raped the girl at several places. Finally, the victim managed to flee from their clutches.
Locals had thrashed the two before handing them over to police.
Similarly, a six-year-old was raped by a youth, identified as Lochana Singh, in Badasahi January 15. The youth had reportedly lured the girl by offering her chocolate. Later, he took her to a forest and committed the crime. The victim’s condition is said to be critical and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
In Baisinga, an 11-year-old girl was raped by a youth, Lipa Marandi, a few days ago when the girl was out in the open to relieve herself. An attempt was made to settle the matter in the village. But when the condition of the girl worsened she had to be admitted to Betanoti hospital. Police have registered a case and arrested the accused.
Another such incident took place at Baura under Baripada police station January 16. A youth identified as Jota Murmu had raped a minor girl in her house when she was alone.
A meeting was held on the following day in the village to settle the issue, but the villagers failed to arrive at a consensus. Eventually, the matter landed at the police station following which three accomplices of the accused were arrested.
PNN