Scores of people, including school children, staged a road blockade at Mandideep industrial township here on Monday in protest against the alleged rape of a 6-year-old girl recently.
The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the accused belonging to a minority community.
Scores of vehicles were stuck for several hours on both sides of the highway due to the road block. Heavy police force was deployed to clear the traffic and officials persuaded the protesters to end the demonstration, assuring them of necessary action in the matter.
As per reports, the accused, said to be named Salman, had lured the six-year-old victim from near her house. He allegedly took her to the nearby forested area and raped her. He then abandoned the girl crying and fled the spot.
The victim’s parents and other people found her in the forests after sometime, and rushed her to a hospital in Bhopal. They also lodged a police complaint in the matter.
The police launched a hunt for the accused, but he remained at large till Monday, when this report was filed. The police have also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 to anyone providing information about the absconding accused.
Meanwhile, the victim’s condition is said to be improving while undergoing treatment at the hospital.