Ranchi: In a horrific incident in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, two Dalit girls were allegedly gangraped while returning home from a Durga Puja fair. The crime took place on October 11, but it came to light only on Sunday evening when the survivors and their families lodged a formal complaint with the police, according to Awadh Yadav, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Chatarpur).
According to an India Today report, the incident occurred in Saraidih village, where the two girls had attended the local Durga Puja celebrations. As they were returning home, six men reportedly intercepted them, and, in a brutal act of violence, gang-raped them. The victims, shaken and traumatized, somehow managed to reach home and inform their family members about the assault.
Initially, the families sought justice through local means, and attempts were made to resolve the matter within the community. The local panchayat intervened, trying to settle the issue without involving the police. However, when these efforts failed and no resolution could be reached, the survivors and their families decided to file a police complaint, leading to the formal registration of the case on Sunday.
Following the complaint, an immediate investigation was launched. Four out of the six accused have been apprehended by the authorities. Among those arrested is the son of a village head, which has further intensified the outrage and concern over the case. The remaining two suspects are currently on the run, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.
Speaking on the matter, a senior police officer assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved. “We are working diligently to ensure that the remaining accused are arrested soon. The law will take its course, and the guilty will be punished,” he said.
This incident has sparked widespread condemnation in the region, with activists and local communities demanding swift justice. The fact that the victims belong to Dalit families has raised concerns over caste-based violence in the area, with many calling for stricter measures to protect vulnerable communities.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by women, particularly those from marginalized sections of society, and the urgent need for effective law enforcement and social reform.
As the investigation progresses, the police are expected to provide updates on the search for the remaining accused and the steps being taken to ensure the safety of the survivors.
