Protest over minor’s rape in Kathua

Kathua, July 16

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two persons at Sadrota village of the Lohia Malhar block in Kathua district.

The accused have been identified as Iqbal and Babudeen of Sadrota. The police have registered a case under Section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code and launched a hunt to nab the culprits.

The incident happened in the first week of July, when the parents of the girl had gone to the Basantgarh area of Udhampur. Two locals reportedly barged into the house of the victim during night and raped the girl, the police said.

After hearing the news about the heinous crime, different organisations of Billawar blocked the Billawar- Phinther road for an hour on Tuesday. The protesters were demanding immediate arrest of both the accused and trial in the case on day-to-day basis.

The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Billawar, rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters. He assured them that both the accused would be arrested soon and stern action would be taken against them. —OC