The Soro police on Tuesday arrested four persons - two couples - in connection with the shocking video showing a girl being dragged and mercilessly beaten after tying her hands for collecting stealing firewood from the field of her neighbours despite their refusal to do so.
The arrestees were identified as Bipin Sahu, main accused, and his wife Malati Sahu and Bharat Sahu and his wife Bharati Sahu.
Soro PS IIC Kartik Malik said, “All the accused persons who were visible in the video footage are arrested. More arrests could be made if their involvement in the incident is found during the ongoing enquiry.”
The victim’s mother alleged that nine persons were involved in the offence and five were still moving scot free.
The incident occurred at Sajanpur village on January 4; and the video surfaced on January 8. The victim, who faced the wrath of an angry group, is stated to be mentally-retarded.
later, the District Child Welfare Committee, Child Protection Unit and Social Security Office members visited the victim’s house. District Social Security Officer Kamalakanta Behera said, “The victim is not a minor; and she appears not to be mentally-retarded.”
District Collector Pramod Das said, “`10,000 has been sanctioned for the victim from the Red Cross funds. Due to her short height, she appears to be a child, but her age is above 20. The district administration will rehabilitate her under a self-employment programme by financing her from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund if she expresses her willingness.”
Meanwhile, eminent sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo on Tuesday created a sculpture with a message “Is This an Example of Humanity” at the Puri sea beach protesting the unfortunate incident of assault on the girl in Baleswar. He expressed his deep sadness and denounced such inhuman and barbaric act.