Massive Highway Blockade: Public Outrage Erupts After 6-Year-Old's Rape in Madhya Pradesh

A 14-km-long traffic jam extended from Mandideep towards Bhopal from 12 noon to 3 pm

Raisen:

Public outrage erupted across Madhya Pradesh's Raisen on Monday as massive protests formed in response to the rape of a six-year-old girl. What began as isolated demonstrations quickly escalated into a complete blockade of National Highway-45, paralyzing traffic for nearly four hours and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Traffic congestion stretched 14 kilometers from Mandideep towards Bhopal between noon and 3 pm, while another 7-km section remained blocked in the direction of Obaidullaganj.

Various vehicles including school buses, trucks, and ambulances were immobilized on the highway as demonstrators refused to disperse. When the crowd remained steadfast, police employed mild force to remove protesters sitting on the highway. Some were moved using batons, though no significant injuries were reported. Despite these efforts, numerous protesters returned to continue their sit-in, compelling the administration to deploy fire tenders and police teams from five stations to manage the situation.

On November 21 evening, the six-year-old victim was playing outside her home in Goharganj when the accused, 23-year-old Salman, allegedly enticed her with chocolates and led her to a nearby forest where he reportedly raped her before fleeing.

Villagers searching for the missing child discovered her crying in the forest. She was immediately transported to Obaidullaganj Hospital, where medical staff confirmed the sexual assault.

Later that night, doctors referred her to AIIMS Bhopal, but no ambulance was available for an hour, forcing her family to transport her in a private vehicle. This negligence intensified public anger, with local activists from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal demanding accountability from the hospital management and calling for the suspension of Block Medical Officer Dr. Amrita Jivne.

The child is currently receiving treatment in Bhopal, with doctors reporting that her condition is improving.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the survivor at the Bhopal hospital and met with her family. He promised strict action and assured them that the government would ensure the case would be handled in a fast-track court.

Despite more than 85 hours passing since the incident, the accused remains at large. Police have announced a Rs 10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and have distributed posters throughout police stations and neighboring villages.

Officials report that Salman had been working as a laborer in the village and fled immediately after assaulting the minor.

The outrage has expanded throughout Raisen district. On Monday, protests emerged in Chiklod, Gauharganj, Obaidullaganj, Mandideep, and Raisen. A planned blockade in Sarakiya was called off following administrative intervention.

Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Pandey and district officials attempted to pacify the protesters, but the crowd maintained their position until they received assurances.