CHITWAN: Two minor girls of Chepang community residing at remote outskirts of Chitwan are undergoing treatment for head injuries at Bharatpur Hospital after they faced physical assault and made a narrow escape from a rape attempt on Sunday.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Dipendra Shah, a 10-year-old girl was brutally thrashed while a 17-year-old girl suffered physical assault and rape attempt. Both victims from Rapti Municpality-13, Kandah were rescued and taken to Bharatpur Hospital for treatment on Monday.

An unidentified man followed the girls through a secluded stretch of a forest while they were returning home from Gothi Bhanjyang in Dhading. The suspect then took the girls by surprise and assaulted the duo.

“The man beat us with a cane and drubbed me. And I fell unconscious,” a victim said, “When I woke up I found myself undressed. And I ran and my relatives found me half-way.”

Following the assault, one of the girls had run from the site to inform her guardians who rescued the other.

However, the suspect fled the scene and has not yet been arrested, despite police officials claiming that he has been identified and a team of sleuths was en route to make the arrest.

The girl who escaped a rape attempt was treated with eight stitches in her head while the other minor girl has suffered critical head injuries and is being treated in intensive care.

Both the victims studying in Kathmandu had returned home for winter vacation.

Meanwhile, Province 3 Chief Dormani Poudel rushed to Bharatpur Hospital to meet the victims and urged the doctors to pay special attention to the treatment of the victims.