Kapilvastu, June 15
People from Kapilvastu district shut the East-West Highway on Wednesday to press for medical treatment of a gang-rape victim and action against Armed Police Force personnel allegedly involved in the crime.
Last Sunday, some personnel from APF’s Vindhyavasini Battalion had raped a verbally-challenged woman from Shivaraj municipality-10. Local women have collected funds and facilitated the victim’s treatment.
On Sunday afternoon, APF personnel allegedly tied hands and feet of the woman while she was grazing buffalo at Chandrauta, threw her into a bush and raped her in the evening. Local people have launched a movement seeking action against the guilty, pointing that responsible authorities had arrested only one person involved in the dastardly act and tried to shield others involved.
After first aid at a local hospital, the victim was admitted to a hospital in Bhairahawa for further treatment. The hospital discharged her on Tuesday evening. Locals collected funds and sent the woman to Butwal for further treatment after she showed no sign of improvement.
A family member said they sent the victim to Butwal for further treatment in the wake of vomiting, refusal to eat and loss of senses.
Accusing the battalion of arresting only one person involved in the crime and shielding others, local people enforced a transport strike and shouted slogans against police administration. With hundreds of vehicles stuck on the road, a large number of passengers and other people are having a hard time. Police said efforts to reopen the road are on.
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