Woman ‘raped & murdered’ in Odisha; body cremated 50 km away as villagers oppose

The body of a woman, who was allegedly raped and murdered, was cremated 50 km away from her village under Rairakhol Police Station in Sambalpur district as residents of the deceased’s village and nearby areas refused to conduct the cremation of the body in their area.

As per reports, the body was eventually cremated at Rairakhol NAC cremation ground with the help of police.

“Our villagers and the residents of the neighbouring villages didn’t allow the cremation of the deceased as they feared that their children would be afraid as the victim was murdered,” said a relative of the deceased.

Earlier, tension gripped Naktideul area following the alleged rape and murder of the woman. As per reports, the family members of the victim initially refused to accept the body of the deceased even three days after the unfortunate incident. The protesting family members demanded the banishment of the arrested accused from the village and immediate compensation to the next of kin.

Rairakhol Sub-Collector and Additional SP somehow managed to pacify the irate family members and later they took the body. Police personnel were deployed in the village to maintain law and order situation in the area.

Earlier on Sunday, the body of the woman was recovered from Jharabedha forest. The woman had gone to take a bath and subsequently went missing. After the recovery of the body, the family members of the victim alleged gang rape and murder. Following the allegations, Rairakhol Police arrested the accused and forwarded him to court. The body was sent to Burla Hospital for post-mortem.

However, the family members of the victim initially refused to take the body after post-mortem. The villagers blocked the National Highway on Sunday and Monday in protest against the heinous crime and demanding stern action against the criminals.