more-in A physically challenged woman was raped by three persons on Sunday on the outskirts of the town even as the nation was registering its strong protest over the Kathua and the Unnao incidents. Vizianagaram SP G. Pala Raju formed special teams to nab the accused. According to the police, the woman belonging to Pusapatirega village boarded an auto at the Fort junction at 8 pm to go to her sister’s home in Phoolbagh on the outskirts. The auto driver sped past and took her to the reserve forest area. He and two others raped her in spite of her strong resistance. The three fled as residents reached the spot following her screams. They admitted her in the government hospital. A case had been filed in the Nellimarla police station. On Monday, a police team led by Vizianagaram Dy. SP A.V. Ramana took her to the spot and gathered information. “Apart from the regular Sections, we are filing cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. We are trying to observe the CCTV footage at the Fort junction and other places to identify the auto number. We will arrest the culprits in no time,” Mr. Ramana told the media. Vizianagaram MLA Meesala Geeta, ZP chairperson Swati Sobha Rani and others urged the police to take up the issue seriously. They said the incident was a shame on society. Stern action sought District YSRCP political coordinator Majji Srinivasa Rao and former chairman of the Vizianagaram Grandhalaya Samstha Rongali Potanna, Lok Satta Party State president Bhisetti Babji and others urged the SP to take stern action against the culprits. “In spite of many Acts, atrocities against women and Dalits are continuing. The rape of the Dalit woman is shocking. It has to be taken up seriously,” said Mr. Potanna. Mr. Babji consoled the victim in the hospital and submitted a memorandum to Mr. Pala Raju. “The auto drivers should help find the culprits. Otherwise, women would hesitate to travel in the vehicles,” he said.

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