Bhubaneswar: Tribals in the Keonjhar district of Odisha are outraged following the rape of a disabled minor girl by a Christian youth. In response, locals protested at a nearby church, demanding the accused’s arrest, which led to the apprehension of 28-year-old Kabu Ho.
According to a local police officer, Kabu Ho was arrested for raping a blind girl from Murga Gotha village, located within the Anandapur police station area.
Tensions in Anandapur escalated last Monday when residents voiced their anger at a makeshift church over the alleged assault by Ho.
Police reports indicate that after sexually assaulting and impregnating the 14-year-old girl, Ho fled the scene. The victim was bathing in a canal near her village when Ho allegedly dragged her to a secluded area and raped her. Initially, the girl did not confide in her family due to fear. However, on Sunday, feeling unwell, her parents took her to a local hospital, where they were shocked to discover her pregnancy. Upon questioning, the girl disclosed her ordeal to her family, prompting hundreds of villagers to protest in the makeshift church in their anger and demand justice against Ho.
A protester noted that after the attack, Ho had threatened the disabled girl not to tell anyone, which left her frightened. It was only after she fell ill and sought medical attention that the truth emerged, igniting widespread outrage.
On Monday, in response to the escalating situation, a police team led by Anandapur SDPO Kamal Kumar Panda was dispatched to the village to assess the unrest. Keonjhar SP Nitin Kusalkar and Anandapur Tehsildar Pallavi Priyadarshini also arrived at the scene, with police deployed to prevent further incidents.
