26 YO woman raped in Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: A 26-year-old-woman was allegedly raped by a 20-year-old youth at her residence in Vizianagaram town here on Monday night. The victim, a resident of Parvathipuram Manyam district, came to Vizianagaram town in search of a job. The police said she has separated from her husband and was staying along with her two children in a rented house in the town for the past few months. She was working at a tea stall in the town.

On Monday night, a male friend offered the woman a lift on his bike. She, along with her male friend, was at her house when three youngsters (all below 20 years) knocked on the door. She opened it and one of the youths entered the house. He asked the woman's friend to leave the place. Later, he raped the woman and fled from the spot. The victim, along with a few others, approached the police on Tuesday morning.

Vizianagaram police chief Deepika Patil said they have identified the accused person who is known to the victim. "We have taken the accused person into custody for interrogation," she said adding that though only one of the three youngsters had raped the woman, cases will be registered against the trio for supporting the crime.

The woman was taken to a government hospital for medical tests. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, TDP leaders and activists alleged that crimes against women have been increasing in the state and the police have failed to prevent them.