Man held for rape, murder of 10-yr-old girl in Bhadrak

Balasore: Police on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Bhadrak district on Tuesday. Her bloodsoaked body was found near a bush after she went missing on her way home from school. The incident has sparked a political war of words, while enraged locals ransacked the house of the alleged accused.Expressing grief, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed officials to ensure a thorough investigation and the harshest punishment for the accused as per law. Majhi also announced Rs 10 lakh aid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the girl’s family.The accused is a 30-year-old co-villager of the victim. He was hiding at his in-laws’ house in Jagatsinghpur district when a special police team conducted a raid and arrested him on Wednesday morning. Earlier, four other persons had been detained for questioning.SP (Bhadrak) Manoj Kumar Rout said, “A dog squad and a scientific team are carrying out a detailed probe. Further investigation is underway.”The brutal crime sparked widespread outrage among locals. Protesters ransacked the accused’s house and blocked roads at three different places, burning tyres and demanding justice. They also barged into a panchayat office near the crime scene.Villagers alleged that rampant illegal liquor trade in the region has contributed to rising crime and demanded closure of liquor shops. The protests lasted nearly 17 hours, with demonstrators demanding strict punishment for the accused. Police have since launched a joint drive to demolish illegal structures and curb liquor and ganja trade, which will continue for eight days.DIG (eastern range) Pinak Mishra said the situation has been brought under control. “Six platoons of armed police force along with SP and other senior officials have been deployed at the scene,” he said.The incident has sparked a political war of words. BJD youth and student wings staged protests in Bhubaneswar. Both the BJD and the Congress have called a bandh in the area on Thursday from 6 am to 12 noon. Deputy CM Pravati Parida condemned the incident, assuring the “strictest action” against the accused. She also announced that the State Women’s Commission will conduct an inquiry.