Baliguda: Local residents blocked the Baliguda-Landagaon road near Barakhama Friday, demanding the arrest of the accused who allegedly raped a minor girl from the village near Baliguda in Kandhamal district December 10.
The girl, who was first admitted to Baliguda community health centre in a critical condition, was later shifted to the district hospital in Phulbani.
Aggrieved over the delay in nabbing the accused, irate locals blocked the roads by burning tyres and felling trees at 7 am following which vehicular movement to Boudh, Bolangir and Sambalpur districts was disrupted.
Several vehicles were left stranded on the busy road, reports said.
The agitators demanded arrest of the accused, government aid for the victim’s treatment and compensation to her family members.
After district administration received information about the protest, Additional Tehsildar Akhaya Mallick reached the spot and held a discussion with the mob.
“A cash of Rs 25,000 has been provided to the victim’s family from Red Cross fund and four teams have been formed to trace the accused. District Collector is initiating efforts to extend every possible help for the minor girl’s treatment,” said Mallick.
After getting assurance from the Tehsildar, the mob withdrew their agitation following which normalcy was restored in the locality.
Meanwhile, they also warned the district administration for further protests if police fails to nab the accused at the earliest.
PNN