Tension in Jaipur after rape of minor girl

Jaipur, July 2 (IANS) Tension prevailed here after a group of people surrounded a police station and vandalized several cars to protest the rape of a seven-year-old girl, officials said on Tuesday.

Police said the girl was taken to an isolated place on Monday by a man who identified himself as her father's friend. After raping her, he left the profusely bleeding girl on the road.

Later on Monday night, her family members took her to Kanwatiya Hospital from where she was referred to JK Lon Hospital.

The girl was admitted in the surgical ICU. The medical report stated that she has abrasions on her chest and injuries on the forehead.

It added that she was, however, stable with minor abrasions on her private parts.

Following the incident, tension gripped the Shastri Nagar area of Jaipur on Tuesday morning as protesters surrounded the local police station after smashing the panes of several cars on Monday night.

Divisional Commissioner K.C. Verma has suspended Internet services in 13 areas of the city from July 2 till July 3, 10 a.m.

A case has been registered under the POCSO Act and the police are looking for the accused.

A huge crowd had gathered near the Kanwatiya Hospital, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastava said: "The girl is out of danger. Senior doctors are treating her. We shall try for the harshest punishment for the accused once he is arrested," he said, urging the people not to believe rumours.

Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas reached the hospital to meet the girl on Tuesday.

"We all are trying to arrest the accused soon. There is just no space for people committing such crimes in our society," he said.

He also requested the people not to play politics on this issue.

Health Minister Raghu Sharma has ordered free treatment of the girl.