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Bhopal, November 25 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Wednesday visited AIIMS Bhopal to interrogate a six-year-old girl who was raped in Sehore district.
Patwari told media persons that he met the rape victim, who is recovering under the supervision of a team of doctors.
He said, “I met the rape victim and she is recovering fast. I also met her parents and relatives present at AIIMS Bhopal. The victim’s family wants justice for the innocent girl.”
Meanwhile, a Congress leader said that at least 20 rape cases are being reported every day in Madhya Pradesh, which is shameful for the entire state.
“This is not a political issue and Congress is always ready to support the government in maintaining law and order in the state and safety of girls and women,” he said.
Reacting to the transfer of Sehore SP Vivek Pandey and suspension of two policemen in Gauharganj, where the incident took place, Patwari said removal of police officers would not provide justice to the victim.
“If removing the SP can ease the girl’s pain, then the entire police department should be replaced. I urge the Chief Minister to take strict action as such crimes against young girls are happening frequently in Madhya Pradesh,” the Congress leader said.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Yadav held a high-level meeting with DGP Kailash Makwana and other senior police officers at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) late on Tuesday night and expressed his displeasure over the delay in arresting the rape accused.
The Chief Minister has ordered the transfer of Sehore SP Vivek Kumar Pandey for failing to arrest the accused, 23-year-old Salman.
The incident took place on November 21 in Gauharganj police station area of Sehore. The accused allegedly took a six-year-old girl playing outside his house to a nearby forest on the pretext of giving her chocolates and ran away after raping her.
The victim was found in a blood soaked condition in the forest and is being treated at AIIMS Bhopal.
The community outrage has snowballed into a four-day protest outside the Gauharganj police station, with villagers, including women and girls, continuing to hold a sit-in despite the biting cold.
This came after a violent protest and massive highway blockade. Police initially used mild force (lathi charge) to clear the highway, but the protesters immediately returned, leading to the deployment of personnel from five police stations.
Authorities have now increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of the accused to Rs 30,000. Twenty police teams and around 300 personnel have been deployed across the area as part of the intensive search operation.
–IANS
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