Patna: The police special investigation team (SIT) on Monday conducted raids to nab the two absconding youths accused in the gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl near the GPO roundabout late in the early hours of Sunday.

According to the police, four youths, Chotu Kumar (21), Phekan Kumar (21), Monu and Bauwa had raped the girl.

A Kotwali police patrolling party had nabbed Chotu and Phekan on Sunday on hearing the girl's screams.

Kotwali police station house officer (SHO) Rama Shankar Singh said Monday's raids were conducted in the slum area near GPO roundabout, Jakkanpur, Mithapur and other areas to nab Monu and Bauwa.

All the four accused are vegetable sellers in the Mithapur area. The police on Monday interrogated several vegetables sellers of the area to gather information about the two absconding youths.

The SHO also said that the girl on Monday was produced in court and her statement was recorded under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012.

Police sources said the girl knew one of the four men who had raped her.

"The girl was missing from her house in Nalanda district since April 11," said a Kotwali police station officer said under cover of anonymity.

"The girl had come to Patna Junction on April 11 to catch a train, and Monu had stolen her mobile phone."

On Saturday night, when the girl again reached Patna Junction, Monu met her and asked her to accompany him, promising to return her mobile.

Monu took the girl to GPO roundabout, where three of his friends were waiting.

On Sunday, Patna zone inspector-general of police (IG) N.H. Khan had constituted the SIT headed by deputy superintendent of police (DSP), law and order, Shibli Nomani to crack the case and nab the absconding accused.

SHOs of Kotwali, Gandhi Maidan and Kadam Kuan police stations and police officers from the SSP cell are members of the SIT.

The IG has also directed all SHOs to strengthen patrolling.

The city has been hit by many late-night crimes recently, including an incident when criminals had shot at and critically injured an army jawan who resisted their loot attempt.