Fear and trauma; Class 9 girl students harassed, threatened with acid attack in Odisha’s Paradip

A shocking incident of harassment and threats has come to light from the Paradip Lock Police Station area, where nine Class 9 schoolgirls were allegedly abused, blocked on their way home from tuition, and threatened with an acid attack by three youths on Friday evening.

According to the complaint, the accused had been harassing the girls for several days, passing lewd comments and using obscene language. 

The harassment escalated on Thursday evening when the youths allegedly blocked the girls’ path, made vulgar remarks, and even proposed to them. The girls were held up for nearly an hour and not allowed to leave.

When the victims refused their advances, the accused threatened them with sexual assault and acid attack. Terrified, the students somehow managed to escape and narrated the ordeal to their tuition teacher. Later, accompanied by their teacher and parents, the girls approached Paradip Lock Police Station and sought protection.

“Three youths from our village had been harassing us for days. We had already informed our parents and tuition teacher. Today they proposed to us, and when we refused, they threatened to throw acid on us,” alleged a student.

Commenting on the matter, the father of a girl student said, “These youths have been harassing the girl students. Today, they even detained them for about 30 minutes. We have lodged a complaint at Lock Police Station.”

“I was resting at home when the students knocked on my door and informed me about the harassment. I told them to inform their parents, and as the situation worsened, we sought police help,” said the tuition teacher.

Meanwhile, the incident has created widespread outrage in the locality, with residents demanding strict action against the accused. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Additional SP of Paradip has assured that stern legal action will be taken against those responsible.