Khurda: A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by a youth in her neighbourhood at Mundia Sahi in Gopabandhu Nagar under Jatni Police limits of Khurda district late Thursday night.
As per reports, the youth lured the girl and managed to bring her out of her house. Subsequently, he took her to a secluded place, allegedly raped and murdered her.
After the incident came to light, locals nabbed the accused and thrashed him black and blue before handing him over to the police. The youth, who sustained grievous injuries in the attack, has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Locals enraged over the incident staged a road blockade by burning tyres and demanded stern action against the accused.
One platoon of police force was deployed in the area to pacify the situation. However, the road blockade was withdrawn after Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahu reached the spot and assured legal action against the accused.
"From preliminary probe it is clear that the minor girl was sexually assaulted but she was declared dead at the hospital. The primary accused of the case has been detained and legal action will be taken against him. As the case is a sensitive one, a special team will be formed to investigate it," informed Sahu.
Meanwhile, the father of the deceased minor girl alleged that he was attacked by some goons including BJD leader and former sarpanch Kartik Mallick inside Jatni police station while he had gone to lodge a complaint about the incident yesterday late night.
"He (Kartik Mallick) asked me why I have come to the police station. When I said I have come to the police station to file an FIR, he beat me up. Police personnel present there did not say anything against him, instead they scolded me," said father of the victim.
In his reaction, Police Commisisoner Satyajit Mohanty said, "We have taken the case seriously and further investigation is on."
Meanwhile, BJD Assembly candidate Bibhuti Balabantray expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and stated, "We collectively oppose anyone, whosoever support this incident."