In a harrowing incident in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, two minor tribal girls were allegedly gangraped by at least four youths, with allegations that the number of accused could be higher. The incident occurred on April 24, when the survivors, aged 13 and 14, were returning home on foot from a nearby wedding.
Sequence of Events
According to police, a group of four teenage friends was walking home late at night when a group of 12 youths on six bikes intercepted them on a deserted stretch. Two of the girls managed to flee, while the other two were overpowered and later reported being gangraped.
Surguja Inspector General Deepak Jha stated that based on the survivors' complaints, four accused dragged one girl to an isolated spot and gangraped her, while another minor was taken on a bike to a separate location. The third girl was forced onto a bike but managed to jump off and escape into the bushes, disappearing from sight.
Police Response and Investigation
An FIR has been lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against four men, who are yet to be traced. The survivors named the accused based on what they heard during the incident. A search operation is underway to nab the culprits.
The girls somehow returned home early the next morning and were found crying inconsolably. Women social workers approached them, and the survivors narrated their ordeal. They are reported to be in shock, complaining of abdominal pain, and are receiving counseling and medical treatment.
IG Jha confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend all involved. The incident has sparked outrage in the region, with demands for swift justice.
