A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth in Tharwaranganj area of the district, police said today.

According to an FIR lodged by the parents of the victim, a 17-year-old boy from their neighbourhood yesterday raped the girl, who was playing outside her home, by luring her to a secluded spot.

"On the complaint of the parents, an FIR under section 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and 3/4 of the POCSO act has been lodged against the accused", Superintendent of Police, Arvind Sen Yadav said.

Efforts are on to nab the absconding accused, the SP said.

Protesting the incident, angry people closed market shops in the locality demanding immediate arrest of the accused.

The situation could be controlled only after the officials assured them speedy arrest of the accused. As a precautionary measure, adequate police and Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel have been deputed at the market place, Yadav said.