A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and strangled to death by a neighbour after being lured away from her home in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, police said on Monday. The incident triggered protests in the village, with angry residents allegedly pelting stones at police vehicles and damaging six vehicles.
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in the Muskara police station area.
According to police, the child was playing outside her house when her 30-year-old neighbour allegedly took her to a nearby field. He allegedly raped her and strangled her using her own pajama trousers.
When the family began looking for the girl, the accused reportedly pretended to help them search. Her body was found in the field around 8 pm. The family subsequently handed the accused over to the police.
Accused Shot During Attempt to Escape
Circle Officer Rajkumar Pandey said the accused attempted to escape while police were taking him for questioning. He allegedly opened fire at police personnel using a country-made pistol that he had concealed on his person.
Police returned fire, shooting the accused in the leg. He was taken to the district hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Villagers Pelt Stones at Police Vehicles
Tensions escalated when police attempted to take the girl’s body for post-mortem examination. Villagers allegedly resisted the move and pelted stones at police vehicles.
Officials said six vehicles were damaged, including those belonging to the circle officer and the station house officers of Rath and Binwar police stations.
Police used what officials described as minimal force to disperse the crowd and took custody of the body. It has been sent for post-mortem examination.
A case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Further investigation is underway.
