Bhopal/Mandideep: Residents—women, children and locals alike—paraded down the busy Mandideep‑Obedullaganj road on Wednesday, turning it into a stand‑still to protest a shocking claim that a 23‑year‑old man had sexually assaulted a six‑year‑old girl in the nearby Panjra village of Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
The protest blocked National Highway 46 for hours, driving home demands for prompt action as anger swells over the suspect’s continued evasion of arrest, even after five days have passed since the alleged crime.
Heavy police presence was deployed. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has already relieved the Superintendent of Police in Raisen and the Station House Officer at Mandideep station, but the accused remains at large on the fifth day after the heinous act.
Doctors say the child’s condition is critical, and her recovery may take months. The brutal episode unfolded on November 21, when the victim, playing near home, was lured away by the accused, Salman Khan, with the promise of chocolate. Khan abducted and assaulted her before leaving her on the roadside in severe condition.
Passersby rescued the girl and rushed her to a local hospital, where she is now on intensive care, fighting serious injuries. Word of the attack spread quickly through the tight‑knit communities of Mandideep, Obaidullaganj and nearby villages, sparking widespread outrage.
Early Wednesday morning, groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal gathered, blocking the major artery that connects Bhopal to Raisen. Banners reading “Justice for the Innocent” and “Hang the Rapist” fluttered as families with young children joined the march, reflecting the deep fear felt by parents across the region.
The blockade caused major traffic congestion, creating a 14‑kilometre jam extending from Mandideep toward Bhopal and a seven‑kilometre block toward Obaidullaganj. Thousands of commuters, school buses and goods vehicles were stranded for nearly four hours between noon and 3 p.m.
Tense standoffs persisted as police tried to negotiate, but the situation worsened when officers used mild force to disperse the crowd. This led to small scuffles and a few injuries among demonstrators.
Local leaders and residents released their fury, accusing the police of inaction. The unrest follows earlier protests on Monday in hotspots like Chiklod and Raisen town, where roads were similarly blocked in support of the cause.
The demonstrations have attracted intense political scrutiny. Chief Minister Yadav publicly criticized the district police for their handling of the case. In a strong statement on Tuesday, he announced the removal of the local Superintendent of Police, condemning the force for failing to apprehend the accused four days after the crime and for poorly managing the blockades.
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