Ranpur: Notwithstanding the nationwide awareness against sexual abuse and the ‘Paree Express’ launched by the Odisha Police recently to curb sexual crimes against women, incidents of rapes and molestations continue to pour in from various parts of the state.
According to a latest report, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 47-year-old man at Kerendatangi village under Chandapur police limits in Nayagarh district Monday. The matter came to the fore after the victim’s mother lodged a written complaint with the police in this connection.
Taking serious note of the incident, police swung into action and arrested the accused identified as Prafulla Kumar Behera.
Police have registered a case and sent the victim and the accused to Ranpur sub-divisional government hospital for medical examinations. Meanwhile, the incident has spread tension in the village.
According to sources, the girl had gone to school as usual Monday. After returning home, she was playing in her e courtyard while her mother was busy with household chores.
In the meantime, Behera approached her and lured her with a chocolate. He took her to the backyard and he allegedly raped her.
Hearing her screams, the victim’s mother rushed to the spot. However, Behera managed to escape. On receiving information, IIC Chatrapati Kanhar, ASI Laxmidhar Pradhan along with a police team reached the village and launched a search operation to nab Behera.
The police team spotted him in a forest. On seeing the police party, Behera tried to escape, but ASI Laxmidhar overpowered him.
PNN
