Bhubaneswar: A 14-year-old minor girl was reportedly found dead in a paddy field in Herapada under Bartana Panchayat in the Jaleswar area of Balasore district, triggering outrage in the locality.
The deceased has been identified as a resident of Paschimabada Panchayat under Jaleshwar police limits.
According to reports, the girl had gone to the nearby market with a friend on Wenesday evening to eat ‘chat’ and did not return home. Following this, the family lodged a complaint at Nampo police outpost alleging that a youth, identified as Chandrakanta Jena of Sultanpur village, had kidnapped her. The family alleged that police detained the youth but later released him without taking any action or searching for the girl.
The half-burnt body of the minor was found inside a paddy field at Herapada on Thursday. Her slippers and scarf were found at a distance from the body, following which family members identified her. The girl’s face, chest and abdomen bore burn injuries. Police reached the spot, recovered the body and have started an investigation.
The family has alleged that the minor was subjected to gang-rape and was then set on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Police have, meanwhile, seized the body and sent it for post-mortem. An investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, villagers have demanded strict action against those involved.
