Even as the police continue their hunt for the main accused in the gangrape of a 35-year-old Noida woman and her teenage daughter after waylaying their car on Friday, more chilling details are emerging.

According to the villagers, just 12 days ago a few men had "brought a woman in a tempo and gang-raped her late into the night". The first incident too, happened at the same spot where the woman and her daughter were robbed and gangraped.

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What is even more shocking is the police inaction.

According to locals, the police did not act, even after they approached the authorities.

"We got the news and immediately reached the spot after which the men fled. The woman was distraught, dishevelled. We stopped a police vehicle passing by and handed over to them a mobile phone and some clothes that the men had left behind. The police pocketed the phone and left. They later told the woman to come to the police station. We don't know what happened to her after that. She was in a bad shape and needed help from the police," Devraj Thakur, former pradhan of the village told The Times of India.

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They are blaming the police for the rise in crime in their neighbourhood.

"Police don't file cases even as the dangerous stretch has become a safe haven for criminals who often target travellers here. Had the police been vigilant in its patrol, the crime could have been averted," Govindpal Singh, another village elder, said.

It had also been revealed that the victims kept on trying to get help from the police by dialing 100 when the criminals left. But the number was either busy or was not picked up. Ultimately, they called up a relative for help.

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Police however continues to be in denial mode. DIG (Meerut range) Lakshmi Singh said these were just rumors.

"This is at best the rumour mill at work. We do admit there have been a few lapses. We are doing everything in our means to bring the culprits to justice. More than half a dozen cops have already been suspended."

However Police have admitted that "two similar incidents" had occurred in the district on May 7 and May 12 this year.

The same modus operandi was used, something was thrown at the vehicle to stop it, the occupants led out at gunpoint and then robbed and assaulted. Police, though, on both occasions had registered cases of normal theft (under IPC's sections 379 and 356). The culprits in both the incidents were not arrested.

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The gangrape and robber is believed to be the works of Bawariyas, a nomadic tribe. While three members of the gang have been nabbed, the hunt is still on for the remaining four.

Police said, for the gang which is spread across the area, highway robbery is the primary source of earning.