Dhenkanal, Apr 30: A shocking incident has shaken Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, where a young woman was brutally assaulted while bathing in a river.

The crime occurred in Bhapur Gram Panchayat, near the Sapua river bridge, when the victim was attacked by a miscreant.

According to reports, the accused dragged the woman to a secluded spot, attempted sexual assault, and then tried to kill her by inflicting severe injuries on her face, head, and hands with a sharp weapon. The attacker fled the scene immediately after the assault.

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The victim was discovered in a critical condition by a local cattle grazer, who found her lying unconscious and bleeding profusely. He provided her water and alerted nearby villagers.

Her mother, who had gone searching after noticing her daughter’s delay in returning home, reached the spot and found her daughter’s clothes scattered. With the help of locals, the family rushed the victim to Bhapur hospital.

Doctors, seeing the seriousness of her injuries, referred her to Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital and later transferred her to SCB Medical College in Cuttack for advanced treatment. Her condition remains critical.

Police sources revealed that the accused is suspected to be from a nearby village in Panasahi. Despite efforts, Bhapur police have not yet apprehended the culprit. The incident has sparked outrage in the area, with locals demanding swift justice and stronger safety measures for women.

The brutality of the crime has left the community in shock, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and stricter law enforcement in rural regions. Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to track down the accused and bring him to justice.