Tribal minor girls raped in Andhra Pradesh

VISAKHAPATNAM: Two minor girls were allegedly gangraped in Araku Valley mandal in Visakha agency on Monday night when they came out from their houses to attend nature's call. But the incident came into light on Wednesday as the family members and relatives of the victims staged dharna in front of the Araku police station.
According to Araku circle inspector P Paidayya, minor girls were allegedly raped by five youth who took them to Araku on the pretext of showing the Araku festival. But the festival was conducted on February 27 and February 28 by the state government. They took the girls in a four-wheeler to Araku, where there were no signs of festival.
They promised to drop the girls at their village, but took them to another route and allegedly raped them on the nearby hillock. One girl was rescued by motorists passing on the route. By seeing the motorists, the accused persons fled the spot. Another girl observed silence due to fear and passed the whole night on the hillock and reached home next day.
After learning this, villagers in large numbers staged dharna at police station led by AIDWA women activists. A case was registered under Pocso act and investigation was started by the Paderu DSP Rajkamal.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)