Chhapra: In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the small town of Jalalpur, a 10-year-old girl returning from school was gang-raped and murdered on Saturday, May 24. The brutal assault has sparked widespread outrage, with villagers and officials calling for swift justice and increased security measures.
According to police reports, five individuals, including three minors, have been arrested in connection with the crime. Two of the accused, cousins Bittu Bansphor and Guddu, aged 21, have confessed to their involvement, revealing harrowing details of the attack.
In his statement, Guddu Bansphor reportedly admitted that he and his accomplices abducted the girl after she refused to accompany them voluntarily. “We dragged her into the bushes and took turns raping her,” he said. Fearing she might reveal the crime, the accused then strangled her to death. The confession has added to the community’s anguish and demands for justice.
The incident unfolded in a mango orchard near the village, where the accused had been sitting with friends. Witnesses say the girl was returning home from school when she was forcibly taken into a deserted area. The accused described how they kept a guard while others gagged her and committed the heinous acts, ultimately killing her out of fear of being caught.
The child’s death has led to a chilling atmosphere of fear among local residents. Several parents have refused to send their children, especially girls, to school, fearing further violence.
District Education Officer and local teachers have expressed concern over the safety of students. “After the incident, children stopped attending school. We are trying to convince parents to send their daughters back, but fear prevails,” said, a teacher at the village school. The school has not seen such a state of neglect in over a decade.
The victim’s family is in deep mourning. Her mother, overwhelmed with grief, demanded justice, stating, “We want the accused hanged before our eyes. What harm did my innocent girl do?” Her father, a mason, recounted how he found her body after hearing of the incident, with villagers seeing two fleeing on foot and two on a motorcycle.
In the aftermath, the accused reportedly set their house on fire to evade arrest. Local residents confirmed that three of the five suspects, all minors, have gone into hiding, with some family members fleeing the village altogether.
The police have assured that all possible aid is being provided to the victim’s family. Jalalpur police station in-charge Rahul Kumar stated, “The accused have confessed, and we are continuing our investigation. Justice will be served.”
