HAMIRPUR: A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and strangled to death by a neighbour who lured her away in Hamirpur district, with angry villagers refusing to let police take away the body and pelting stones at their vehicles, officials said on Monday.The incident took place in the Muskara police station area on Sunday afternoon, according to news agency PTI.According to police, the toddler was playing outside her house when her 30-year-old neighbour allegedly lured her into a nearby field, raped her and strangled her to death using her own pajama trousers.When the girl’s family began searching for her, the accused allegedly pretended to help them. The girl’s body was found in the field around 8 pm.Following the discovery, the family handed over the accused to police.Circle Officer (Rath) Rajkumar Pandey said the accused attempted to escape while being taken for questioning. He allegedly opened fire at police personnel with a country-made pistol concealed on his person.Police retaliated, shooting the accused in the leg. He is currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital.Meanwhile, when police attempted to take the girl’s body away, angry villagers allegedly created a commotion and pelted stones at police vehicles, officials said.Six vehicles, including those belonging to the circle officer and the station house officers of Rath and Binwar police stations, were damaged in the incident, they said.Police used minimal force to disperse the crowd and took the body into custody. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, officials added.A case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
