Six women have been allegedly gang-raped at gun-point by three men in Bihar's Bhojpur district, police said Friday.
All the three, including main accused Neel Nidhi Singh, former commander of Ranveer Sena, private militia of landed upper caste, have been arrested while four others are absconding, police said.
The incident occurred at Kurmuri village, said Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar. Bhojpur is about 60 km from Patna.
Taking congnizance of the incident, the Bihar Human Rights Commission has sought a report from Bhojpur district magistrate and superintendent of police about action taken and compensation to the victims.
"We have sought a report from the district administration as it is a serious matter," commission member Neelmani said.
The state women's commission, too, has also sought a report from Bhojpur district police about the incident and constituted a three-member committee to inquire into it.
Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has ordered the concerned officials to take stern action against accused. Manjhi asked officials to ensure arrest of all accused within 24 hours.
He instructed police to initiate the process for property attachment if accused were not arrested.
Manjhi also directed police to file charge sheet against the alleged attackers and begin speedy trial of the case soon.
The chief minister has ordered Bhojpur district magistrate and superintendent of police to jointly investigate the incident and submit the report within seven days.
All the victims, including four minor girls, are rag-pickers, residents of Dumaria village, and went to Kurmuri to sell the scrap to a dealer Wednesday evening.
According to police, the victims (who are Mahadalits) said they decided to stay back in Kurmuri as it was already night that day.
"Three men with pistols raped them and threatened them not to inform anyone about the incident or they would face dire consequences," a police official said.
The victims said the men took them to an isolated place and tied them with ropes. They were forced to consume liquor. The three then took turns to rape them while four or five people were keeping a watch outside.
Hundreds of people protested against the incident by blocking Fatehpur-Sikarhatta road since Friday morning, demanding arrest of all the accused.
"One of the victims approached police Thursday and informed about the incident," Rajesh Kumar said.
He said Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Singh has been asked to probe the incident.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) called for Bhojpur bandh Oct 13 to protest the incident.
