After the rape of a minor in Nandyal, sexual abuse of a toddler in Vizianagaram sparks outrage

There has been a disturbing trend of late where cases of sexual harassment of minor girls are on the rise, which is a disgrace to humanity. Soon after the sexual harassment of an eight-year-old girl by three senior students of her school in Muchumarri village of Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, another shocking and shameful incident came to light in Ramabhadrapuram village of Vizianagaram district on July 13, 2024.

A six-month-old baby was allegedly sexually abused by a 40-year-old man in the village. According to police, the baby’s mother placed the baby in a cradle and went to a nearby shop. When no elder was present in the house, Boya Erakanna Dora of Narlavalasa village, reportedly a relative of the child, entered the house and allegedly committed the heinous act. When the child cried loudly, her sister rushed there and saw the man fleeing the spot. She immediately informed the mother who along with the villagers tried in vain to nab the accused. The child, who was taken to Badangi government hospital, was later shifted to a private hospital in Vizianagaram. A case was registered under the POCSO Act and the accused was arrested from Narlavalasa on July 14.

Andhra Pradesh State Child Rights Commission Chairman K Appa Rao expressed shock over the incident and enquired with hospital authorities about the treatment of the sexual assault victim in Vizianagaram. He also spoke to Ramabhadrapuram police and sought details from them.

Appa Rao said it was unfortunate that such incidents continued to occur despite awareness campaigns. He attributed this to social media, mobile phone usage and drug abuse. He stressed that parents must monitor their children.

State ST Commission Chairman DVG Sankara Rao shared the same view and asked the authorities about the child’s health and urged the government to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Meanwhile, the state’s Women and Child Welfare Minister G. Sandhyarani has assured the victim’s family members of all government help.
Sandhyarani, who visited the hospital where the child is being treated, told the media that the government would initiate measures to set up a fast-track court to impose severe punishment on the accused at the earliest.

This article is written by Senior Journalist Lakkoju Nagesh Babu.

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