Angry villagers blocked the movement of traffic on Mumbai-Nashik and Pune-Nashik highways.
A 5-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a teen at a village near Maharashtra's Nashik late last night. Protests have erupted in the area and the accused's house was set on fire by angry villagers, police said.
The accused, 17, has been arrested and accused of rape. The child is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nashik. It is not yet confirmed medically whether she has been raped.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Talegaon village, about 30 km from Nashik, when the girl and her elder sister, 7, were alone at home as their mother had gone out to fetch water. The accused allegedly lured them by offering chocolates and took them to an isolated place nearby and raped the girl while her elder sister ran away, police said.
The girl informed the family about the incident after which the complaint was registered against the accused.
Angry villagers blocked the movement of traffic on Mumbai-Nashik and Pune-Nashik highways demanding action against the accused. Police say the security has been increased across Nashik after the protesters set afire two police vehicles. Cops say they had to fire two rounds in the air to disperse the mob.
This comes just three months after a 14-year-old was gang-raped and murdered in Khopardi in Ahmednagar district. Following the incident, Maharahstra has been witnessihg silent protests by Marathas.