The abduction and rape of a minor girl on Monday have led to violent protests in the city of Jaipur. Angry residents have vandalised vehicles and pelted stones at the police. Around 160 vehicles have been torched. Rioters have been demanding swift action against the perpetrator. The incident has taken a communal angle and heavy forces have been deployed.
According to the police, the 7-year-old girl was picked up from near her home in Shastri Nagar area by an unidentified person on a motorcycle at around 7:30 pm. He claimed to be a friend of the girl’s father. He took her to an isolated place and raped her. She was then dropped back at her home, following which the girl narrated her ordeal to her parents. She was immediately rushed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment at the JK Lone hospital. The police were also informed.
The accused has been identified and the police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. They are still trying to nab the accused who had fled from the spot after dropping the girl.
Reportedly, shortly after the girl was found, locals started protesting while demanding for justice. The protest took a violent turn on Tuesday after rumours of a communal angle spread. Vehicles in the vicinity of the hospital were vandalised. A mob had also gathered around the police station and pelted stones at the police.
Local police and special forces have been quickly deployed to avoid any further escalation. In order to stop the spreading of rumours, the government had to shut down internet services in 13 police districts.
The Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastav has said that the girl is safe and is being treated by experienced doctors. He had also said that strict action would be taken against anyone who spreads rumours about the incident.
Talking about the protesters he said, “Some people had gathered in the area to protest. When the police tried to disperse the crowd, they started pelting stones. Some vehicles were damaged and a few police officers were also injured. We have registered a case and arrested 16 people”.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the minor girl on Tuesday. District collector Jagroop Singh Yadav said, “the compensation was sanctioned from the chief minister’s relief fund”.
In May the horrific gang rape of two Dalit women in Alwar had rocked the state of Rajasthan. In another incident, a few days ago a minor girl was gang-raped for nearly two years by her own four cousins as they were jealous of her for excelling in studies. A teacher also participated in the crime against the girl.