Keonjhar/Anandapur/Hatadihi: Days after a church was ransacked by agitators over a visually impaired girl being found pregnant, police have arrested a 28-yearold youth in connection with the alleged rape of the minor victim in Anandapur area of Keonjhar district.
The accused, identified as Balaram Ho alias Kabu, belongs to a minority community. He was arrested by a special police team in another state after fleeing the area several months ago. Anandapur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kamal Kumar Panda said that the accused committed the crime around four months ago. The victim was allegedly assaulted when she had gone to bathe in a nearby stream.
Threatened and fearing retaliation, the girl did not immediately inform her family. The matter came to light recently after the girl fell ill and was taken to Anandapur hospital, where doctors confirmed she was pregnant.
Following the revelation, local residents staged a protest Monday, demanding justice for the victim and the immediate arrest of the suspect. The unrest resulted in property damage and arson at a place of worship of a minority community.
Superintendent of Police Nitin Kushalkar Dagudu and SDPO Panda deployed police forces from multiple stations, including Nandipada, Soso, Ghasipura, and Ramachandrapur to restore order in the village. The suspect had reportedly been hiding in Tamil Nadu to evade capture.
He was tracked down following a coordinated effort by a special team formed under the SP’s direction. A case (96/2026) was registered at Anandapur police station in this connection and further investigations are on.
