Balasore, April 20: Balasore police have arrested the prime accused in the gang rape of a minor that took place on April 4. The accused, Biswanath Behera, was arrested after an FIR was lodged yesterday with Soro police by the victim’s father.

Two other accused in the case are absconding. “We will produce the accused in court after interrogation,” said Kailash Chandra Parida, sub-divisional police officer. The victim, 15, awaiting her matriculation results, is a resident of Jena Sahi. She was allegedly kidnapped on April 4 while returning home. The accused took her to Gopalpur. The victim was then lodged in a garage where the three men sexually assaulted her.

In another incident at a in Kendrapara village, a 15-year-old girl was picked up from a religious gathering site and was allegedly gang raped by three youths on Friday night.

“The incident occurred at Kantia village last night. The girl has named three persons who were acquainted to her family,” said Tapas Pradhan, inspector, Kendrapara rural police station.