In a scene reminiscent of the Delhi protests after the December 16 gang rape, hundreds of people took to the streets of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh on Thursday demanding action after the death of a 22-year-old health worker, who was allegedly gang raped.
The police detained seven migrant workers but Bijapur Superintendent of Police Prashant Agarwal denied she was gang raped.
The community health or Mitanin worker was returning home around afternoon on Tuesday when she disappeared in the Lankapara area. “The next day, the body was located in the area by locals. It bore torture marks,” said a co-worker on condition of anonymity. The Lankapara residents suspected workers from a nearby construction site were responsible and beat them up.
According to her friends, the workers had been threatening to molest her for quite some time. “There is hardly any doubt that they raped and then killed her to cover up the crime. But the police are trying to protect the workers as the construction project is funded by an influential political leader of the area.” said her friend and co-worker.
Mr. Agarwal told The Hindu that there was no evidence supporting the allegation of rape. “The post-mortem report does not suggest rape. The boys are detained and are being interrogated,” Mr. Agarwal said.
Demanding a fresh medical test, the protesters staged a demonstration in front of the Bhairamgarh police station. They blocked the main road between Gidam and Bijapur demanding justice to the victim.
