Bargarh: Police today arrested the Assistant Sub Inspector of Sohela Police Station and another youth on charges of raping a Class X girl student. The arrested ASI Banmali Kuanr and the other accused Rinku Nag of Melchhamunda village have been forwarded to court.
As per the complaint filed by the girl’s father, Nag kidnapped the girl while she was returning home after attending tuition classes on February 8. He took her to a house rented by Kuanr in Sohela and subsequently raped her. Later in the evening on February 8, Kuanr also raped the minor girl, it has been alleged. The girl was rescued by Melchhamunda police and admitted to Bargarh hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment.
Soon after the complaint was lodged against the ASI alleging his involvement in kidnap and rape, the Bargarh SP had suspended the police official.
“A man lodged a complaint at Melchhamunda Police Station alleging that his daughter is missing. When police rescued the girl from Sohela, involvement of one Rinku Nag came to fore. Nag took the girl to the ASI’s house and raped her. Later the ASI also raped her in the evening. Both the accused have been arrested,” said Laxminaryan Panda, SDPO, Padampur.
Meanwhile, former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda expressed concern over the rising number of incidents of sexual abuse of minor girls in Odisha. In a tweet, be blamed Odisha government's 'weak governance' for a rise in such incidents which have now become a menace.