HYDERABAD: The rape of a 9 year old child, allegedly by a 60 year old man in Andhra Pradesh, has triggered massive protests in a village in Guntur district. Angry that the rapist has not yet been arrested, locals protested on the state highway, blocking traffic for almost six hours. Highway in Dachepalli village was blocked till 4 in the morning on Thursday, as the villagers protested through the night.
They demanded that the accused be immediately arrests. Some even demanded that he be hanged or shot dead in public. Police officials had a tough time controlling the protesters, who vented their anger by damaging a few buses. Neighbour of the victim, Subbaiah allegedly lured the 9 year old with chocolates and toffees and raped her. Officials said he dropped her back home after threatening her that she would be killed if she told anyone. They suspect he is mentally challenged and may have committed suicide.
The child's mother noticed she was bleeding when she complained of severe pain. She took her to a hospital where doctors confirmed sexual assault. What triggered the protests was when locals noticed the condition of the child in the hospital. Meanwhile, the bleeding child fainted in the hospital and received stitches. An official shut down was called as shopkeepers downed shutters and came on to the streets too. Special police forces were deployed but that did not stop angry youngsters from trying to bring down the roof of the home of the accused. He was beaten up by the crowd and had to be rescued by the police. Guntur collector Kona Shashidhar said, “Everyone is disturbed and upset. So there were people from all communities demanding justice for the child.”
