Kendrapara: In a yet another case of sexual exploitation of minors in Kendrapara district, an 11-year old Dalit girl was sexually abused by a 75-year old widower at Batipada village while the victim was begging door to door for food, Umashankar Moharana, SDPO of Pattamundai, told media Saturday. Moharana said the incident had occurred May 20 in the house of the accused.
The victim’s family eked out a living by begging .The minor girl, Somi Das (not her real name), who has been staying with her family , had gone to collect food at Batipada village May 20 for begging. When she went to the door of Bishnu Das for alms, the oldman allegedly invited Somi to come to his house, luring her with lunch inside.
Bisnhu locked the house from inside when Somi went inside the house. Later, he unclothed the Dalit girl and abused her sexually. Bishnu made an attempt to rape the victim when the latter shouted for help. Bishnu’s neighbours, after hearing the shouts of Somi, came to her rescue. Bishnu allegedly threatened the minor girl to kill her if she discloses the matter to anybody.
The girl was rescued by the villagers and returned home where she informed the matter to her mother. As her mother took on the the accused, he allegedly made casteist remarks and misbehaved with her, Moharana said.
Her mother lodged an FIR at Pattamundai police station May 25 against Bishnu. Meanwhile, Pattamundai police detained the accused and are conducting an investigation. Pattamundai police did not register a case till the last report was filed.
It may be noted here that Derabish police Friday arrested a 32-year old plumber, Mihir Kumar Singh, of Haladia village, for his involvement in allegedly raping an eight-year old Dalit girl in an under- construction building at Tilanga after he lured her with chocolates .
Mihir Kumar Singh Saturday was produced in court which rejected his bail plea and remanded him in jail. The court also recorded the statement of the girl Saturday.
