RAIPUR: Amid nation protesting against gangrape in Jammu and Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh on Thursday was rocked with news of rape and murder of minor girls in Kawardha and Bilaspur districts. A semi-nude body of 11-year-old girl was found in a village in Kawardha on Thursday morning hours after she had gone to attend wedding of her cousin brother on account of Akshay Trithiya . Police said she was raped and killed, groom's friend was arrested in this connection.

Kawardha superintendent of police Lal Umed SIngh said that the minor girl had gone to attend her brother's wedding at Podi village and even as the event was almost over and they were preparing to leave, the accused offered the little girl to get her cold drink.

Uttam Sahu, 24, who was groom's friend and was keeping an eye upon the little girl, took her about 1.5 kilometres away in darkness and at an isolated place he raped her. There were cemented bricks kept on the spot which the accused picked and battered the girl with brick, causing her death on teh spot. He left her body with hardly any clothes on her body near a rivulet and returned to the venue of wedding acting oblivious, SP said adding that he had no clue that he had returned with blood stains on his shirt.

When the family started looking for the girl, few guests told them that they had last seen the girl with Sahu and when people enquired with him, they spotted the blood stains on his clothes after which the police was informed and they detained Sahu.

SP Singh said that he tried to mislead police saying that he had beaten up the girl and left her at a place near venue of wedding but he didn't divulge much details. Meanwhile, the police had began searching for the girl and found her body in morning.

It was confirmed that she was raped before being beaten up and killed. Sahu was arrested under Sections of POCSO And IPC.

Another 11-year-old girl was raped by a neighbour in Bilaspur district, after she was lured for chocolates on Wednesday evening. The accused kept her confined for few hours and left her after rape. Police have arrested the youth.

According to the information, the minor girl was playing outside her house at Takhatpur region in Bilaspur district when the accused Bholaram Goswami, 19, from her neighbourhood approached her and offered chocolates. She was happy to get a chocolate and expected him to give more.

Goswami found an opportunity in her desire and invited her to his house for more chocolates. As the girl was familiar with Goswami staying close to her house, she went along with him.

The monster in Goswami was awakened and he locked the girl inside his house and repeatedly raped her. The minor girl tried to scream but he covered her mouth with his hand, police said.

When the girl continuously resisted and kicked with her legs, he finally released her after more than one and half hours. The girl then, ran to her house to narrate her ordeal to her mother.

Taken aback with such narratives coming from the little girl, her parents immediately reported the matter to police and got the youth arrested.

The residents of the area were enraged on seeing that a Class III girl was raped by a goon-like boy who was habitual of molesting girls and women.

Chairperson of state women Commission Harshita Pandey visited the girl and her family and ensured all assistance. Pandey had recently written to state chief secretary recommending death sentence for rape accused of minor victims of 12 years or below age. She had recommended for amendments in POCSO And IPC Acts to implement the same.

