After the nun rape case in Kandhamal rocked the nation, another similar episode has come to light where in a Hindu woman was allegedly gang-raped in the riot-hit district about three weeks ago, police said on Sunday.
The incident, which surfaced after virtual suppression of the nun rape episode for 38 days, allegedly took place on September 19 at Gandanaju village of Gadringia gram panchayat in Tikabali police station area, police said.
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Confirming the incident, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar told PTI over phone that prompt action was taken by the police after the 22-year-old woman had lodged an FIR on September 20.
"The police swung into action immediately and arrested one of the accused Manoj Pradhan, while efforts are on to nab those absconding," he said.
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The woman had undergone medical examination and a case of rape had been registered on the basis of the report, Officer in-charge of Tikabali police station S N Pradhan said, adding that the accused was also taken to court.
Rape incidents added to the disturbing face of Kandhamal violence which earlier was considered to be confined to rioting and arson.
Meanwhile, Christian leaders sought to attach a rape angle to the incident in which a young Hindu girl Rajani Majhi was burnt alive at Khuntapalli under Padampur police station area of Bargarh district.
While leaders alleged that she was raped by the mob before being pushed into the fire, police said no such complaints had been lodged with them.
"So far no complaint of rape has been made before police, who registered a case of murder, rioting and arson and also arrested 20 persons," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Y B Khurania said.
Khurania said neither the post-mortem nor medical examination indicated any sign of rape in Rajani burning incident of August 25, but police are open to act on any fresh information.
Anybody wanting to share any information about the incident can do so by contacting police instead of speaking to the media, he said.
He said Pastor Edward Sekuna, who was injured in the attack, had also given his statement before a magistrate about the incident but never made any reference to rape.
"Even now if the Father wants to say something new, he is most welcome," Khurania said.
Since a Christian leader from Sambalpur has made a fresh allegation of rape, the Bargarh Superintendent of Police has been asked to get in touch with him and obtain required information, he added.