Chitrakoot (UP): A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her neighbor in Pahadi township of Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot district, police said on Wednesday.

The girl, a Class 11 student, was sleeping in the house when the 22-year-old youth sneaked into the house and allegedly raped her on Monday night, SHO Shravan Kumar said.

As other members of the family rushed out on hearing her cries, the accused jumped over the wall and fled after issuing threatening to kill her, the SHO said.

An FIR has been registered on Tuesday based on the girl's father filing a complaint under various sections, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Raids are being conducted to catch hold of the accused who is absconding, the police officer added.

 

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Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.

Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.

Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.

However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.

"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.

Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.

On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.

"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.

Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.

"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.

Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.

Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.