Cops cite security duty for slow action on rape plaint

The residents of Keezhpaatai village staged a road blockade in Orathi near Acharapakkam on Saturday against police apathy and demanded that action be taken against the offenders and a case lodged. The victim is a 16-year-old Class 12 student of a government school.

When her parents, agricultural labourers, were away for work on Friday, a 25-year old man identified as Dinesh entered her house in the guise of asking for water and gagged her mouth. He then took her to a nearby coconut farm, where he was joined by three other friends, who took turns to rape her. After a stage, the girl reportedly managed to remove the piece of cloth from her mouth and shouted for help, following which villagers in the nearby field rushed to her aid.

On seeing them, the men fled and the girl was rescued. After the officers apologised for the delay in registering a case and assured that the rapists would be arrested, the agitators dispersed.

Police detained Dinesh’s uncle, while a hunt is on for others.