Rajahmundry: Minor girl raped by home guard

RAJAHMUNDRY: A Dalit minor girl was allegedly raped by a home guard after being confined to a room in Mandapeta of East Godavari district for some time to force her into prostitution. The victim, aged around 13 years, hails from Kurupam village of Vizianagaram district. She arrived in Yedida village of Mandapeta mandal to meet her relatives a few days ago. As she was waiting for a bus to reach Yedida village from Mandapeta at night, two women approached her and offered to allow her to stay with them for the night as no bus was available for her to reach her village at that time.

The girl went along with them to their house to spend the night. However, the two women tried to force her into prostitution by confining her in a room. Meanwhile, P. Ramakrishna, the home guard,  hailing from Pamarru village of K. Gangavaram mandal, attached to the Mandapeta police station, arrived there and took her to an isolated place and raped her, according to the girl's complaint.

Later, the women confined her in the room for a few more days. However, the girl managed to escape from the women and raise an alarm. Villagers came to her rescue. She lodged a complaint with the Mandapeta police. Accordingly, the police booked a case against the home guard and the two women under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and also SC and ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act. The accused are at large. Though the offence allegedly took place in the first week of July, it came to light on July 16 after the police booked the case.