Six harass girls returning from tuition in Puri; 2 accused youth held, 4 absconding

Three women returning from a visit to the Shree Jagannath Temple were allegedly harassed by a group of youths near Samanga Parking Road in Puri on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM when the women were walking along a deserted path toward Kanthapura village, after offering prayers at the temple.

Earlier reports had stated that the women were returning from tuitions, but the victims, in their statements to the police, verified that they were returning from the Jagannath Temple at that point in time.

"We were returning from the temple to our homes. We saw four to five men on bikes in the distance and were walking ahead when they blocked our paths. We tried to move away but they gheraoed us and tried to pull us. They made objectionable remarks and tried to snatch dupattas," alleged a victim.

According to the complaint lodged at Puri Sadar Police Station, four to five youths on two motorcycles approached the women near a conch-shaped landmark and began harassing them.

The assailants allegedly attempted to snatch their vanity bag and gold chain before locals intervened. Hearing the women's cries for help, nearby residents rushed to the spot and managed to apprehend two of the accused, while the others fled.

Locals Intervene, PCR Alerted

Among those who reached the scene was the brother of one of the victims, Abhimanyu Baral.

He, along with others, tried to restrain the youths. Another local dialled the Police Control Room (PCR), and by the time the PCR team arrived, two of the suspects had already been caught by the crowd and were handed over to the police.

The victims alleged that the youths had been observing them for several days and targeted them when they were isolated on the way back from the temple.

Case Registered, Manhunt Underway

A formal complaint was lodged at the Puri Sadar Police Station between 12 and 12:30 AM. Police officers soon visited the scene, carried out an initial investigation, and launched a search operation for the absconding youths.

Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Sunil Kumar Pradhan confirmed that a case had been registered and said, “Two of the accused are in custody and are being interrogated. The remaining culprits will be apprehended soon.”

All the accused are reportedly from the Brahmagiri area. As of now, no additional arrests have been made. Police have assured that security in the area will be tightened and further action will follow based on the investigation.