Minor girl raped and murdered, tension in Orissa Village

Balasore, Mar 1 (UNI) Police today lobbed teargas shells and resorted to lathi charge after eight police personnel were injured by a mob in Naharpatna village under Sardar Police Station in Balasore district following the rape and murder of a minor girl.

Police said problem arose when police tried to save Karunakar Das from the clutches of the irate villagers who were trying to lynch him for his alleged involvement in the crime.

Sources said the victim, a seven-year-old girl, had gone to watch an opera (Yatra) last night alongwith her father and brother.

Karunakar allegedly offered her chocolates and lured her to a secluded place. This morning her family members saw the girl lying dead close to their house.

The relatives of the girl suspected Karunakar, who has a couple of criminal cases pending against him, to be behind the incident.

After the news spread, angry villagers tried to lynch him.

However, Police reached the spot and saved the accused. Later the police arrested Karunakar and took him to the outpost. The irate villagers demanded that the accused be handed over to them and attacked the police. The villagers ransacked the Haladipada outpost.

In the clash eight police personnel sustained injuries.

Police resorted to lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells after its repeated appeal to the villagers to disperse failed to have any impact.

Tension prevailed in the area and policemen deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

UNI XC-BD KK DB1618