Gaighat, November 7

Rights activists and locals have protested efforts to settle a rape case in a village of Udayapur.

Two teenage girls from Udayapur’s Murkucho were raped while they were returning home after playing deusi on the night of November 1. Mohan Magar,18, and Khil Bahadur Bk,17, had taken the girls to a paddy field and raped them.

Immediately after the incident, police arrested Magar, while BK is still at large. A manhunt to nab BK is under way.

After efforts were made to settle the case through monetary compensation to the victims, various organisations, including Child Rights Chetana Group, have demanded action against the guilty and justice to the victims.

Most villagers are against the settlement of the case in the village. A local teacher said that attempts were being made to settle the case in the village under the pressure of some ‘powerful’ people.

DSP Om Rana at the District Police Office said that the case would not be settled in the village at any cost. “The case cannot be resolved in the village. The criminals will be brought to justice,” he added. He said the case was already registered at the police office.