Post News Network
Bargarh, Dec 1: The alleged sexual assault on a three-year-old girl from Ghulipali village under ward no 18 of the local Municipality took a new turn when scores of people were beaten up by police personnel while they were protesting near the collectorate and Town police station here Monday.
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Though police arrested the accused Paradesi Sahu (35), a neighbour of the victim, in connection with the case, the protesters demanded production of the accused in front of them and appropriate action taken against him. The peaceful demonstration of the protesters near the police station took an ugly turn when cops thrashed them. Tension prevailed in the area at the time of filing of this report.
Sources said the three-year-old girl became critical after she was sexually assaulted by Sahu Sunday. After the matter came to light, the victim was immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital here before being shifted to VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla, where she is battling for life.
Town police registered a case under Section 376 of IPC and Section-6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and forwarded him to court which remanded him to jail. Police registered a case under various sections of IPC against ward no 18 councillor Swarup Sahu and 10 of his supporters on charges of attacking Jethu Bhoi, one of the relatives of the accused. The protesters demanded Jethu’s arrest as he had allegedly provided shelter to the accused in his house after he committed the ghastly act. Though police held a discussion with the protesters, the meeting failed to break the deadlock.
Police lathi-charged the protesters who fled towards the main road before cops closed the main gate of the police station. Town police station IIC Prakash Chandra Pal rejected the allegation of lathi-charge.
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the three-year-old being sexually assaulted, another four-year-old girl was also sexually assaulted in Pandaripathar village under Town police limits here. Sources said a youth, identified as Sudam, lured the victim to a secluded place on the pretext of treating her with food and sexually abused the girl. Later, the family members lodged a complaint in this regard. Police said they have launched a manhunt to nab the accused.
