10-year-old girl raped and killed in Odisha; locals hold protest
Preliminary findings by the police suggest that the child was sexually assaulted before being murdered, enraging the local community.
Villagers held protests and demanded justice after a 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Odisha's Bhadrak. (Screengrab)
A brutal crime involving the alleged rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl sent shock waves through a village in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, triggering widespread outrage and protests in the region. The prime accused in the case has been arrested.
The incident came to light on Tuesday, December 23, after the minor was reported missing from her village.
Later that evening, her blood-soaked body was found near bushes in Baligaon village, police sources told India Today TV.
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Preliminary findings by the police suggest that the child was sexually assaulted before being murdered, enraging the local community.
The horrific discovery led to an outpouring of anger among villagers, who demanded immediate justice and strict punishment for those responsible.
As tensions escalated, residents blocked the Akhandalamani Road at Baligaon Square, burned effigies of the accused, and staged demonstrations.
Angry villagers also vandalised a local wine shop, saying that it was because of the sale of liquor that people get drunk and commit such crimes.
"The police have no information about what the villagers have done there. The police and the local administration used a poclain to evict areas where illegal activities were taking place. Based on public complaints, we have evicted encroachments from government land in that area," said the Bhadrak SP Manoj Kumar Raut.
Meanwhile, police launched an intensive investigation, deploying a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and a sniffer dog squad to the crime scene to gather evidence.
Several suspects were detained for questioning as part of the probe, police said.
According to officials, the sniffer dog traced leads to a specific residence, helping narrow down the search.
On Wednesday, police arrested the prime accused from the neighbouring Jagatsinghpur district.
Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rout confirmed the arrest and said further investigation is ongoing.
Authorities have appealed for calm while assuring swift and strict legal action in the case.
CM MANJHI ANNOUNCES RS 10 LAKH EX-GRATIA
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Manjhi expressed anguish over the incident, and also announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for the family of the victim.
"Having been informed about the heinous incident that occurred in Chandabali of Bhadrak district, the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri@MohanMOdisha has expressed profound grief and offered prayers for the departed soul's eternal peace. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has directed that the incident be properly investigated, and the culprits be awarded the severest possible punishment in accordance with the law, while announcing assistance of 10 lakh rupees from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the closest relatives of the victim's family," the Chief Minister's office tweeted.
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