A 17-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree near her home in the Pandapada police station area in Keonjhar district.
The incident has ignited outrage, with her family and local residents alleging she was gang-raped before being murdered.
According to her family, the girl had gone out late Monday night but never returned. Locals discovered her body at dawn and immediately alerted the police, who have launched an investigation. Initial findings suggest possible sexual assault, with bloodstained clothing recovered near the scene intensifying suspicions.
Angry villagers took to the streets, blocking roads and demanding immediate arrests of those responsible. The protest was lifted after assurances from local authorities, including Harichandanpur Tehsildar and Telkoi MLA, who promised swift justice.
Police have detained two individuals for questioning, while the girl’s body has been sent for autopsy at Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital. Authorities await the forensic report to confirm the cause of death and determine the next steps in the investigation.
The case has sparked widespread concern, particularly as it follows a recent gangrape incident at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district. Locals continue to demand stronger safety measures and quicker legal action against perpetrators of crimes against women.
