Bhubaneswar, Sept. 20: A 24-year-old woman, who was injured when a group of motorcycle-borne goons chased her at Ghatikia four days ago, succumbed to her injuries at a hospital here today.

Diptimayee Murmu, who was studying for her master’s in social work in North Odisha University, had come to Bhubaneswar last Sunday to appear for a banking examination.

A group of local youths allegedly demanded money from Diptimayee and her friend Nikhil Hembram, an engineering student, while they were standing on the Ghatikia-NH-5 connector near Mahima Ashram on Sunday evening.

Both Diptimayee and Nikhil, who were from Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, requested the goons to let them go as they had very little money with them. But, the goons took cash worth Rs 200 from the woman and also forced them to withdraw more money from a bank ATM located nearby. While trying to escape from the clutches of the goons, Nikhil sped off his motorcycle, which skidded off the road at Ghatikia Square.

Diptimayee sustained severe injuries as she fell from the motorcycle. Local residents informed Khandagiri police who rushed her to a nearby hospital. Diptimayee had since been undergoing treatment in a private hospital.

Her cousin Kunurnath Murmu said that his sister was supposed to return to Baripada by boarding a 10pm bus on Sunday. However, she left home in the evening without disclosing where she would go.

“After the accident, we came to know that she and Nikhil were in love with each other. They used to study in the same school at Baripada,” said the brother.

On Wednesday, the Khandagiri police arrested one of the accused persons, Rakesh Mohanty of nearby Nuagaon village, on charges of attacking the young couple following complaints from Nikhil.

However, Diptimayee’s family members said they would lodge a complaint against Nikhil. “Had he not called our daughter, she would have been safe now. We will take action after discussing with Nikhil’s father,” said a relative of the deceased, Gajendranath Murmu.

Sources said that the Khandagiri police had also arrested three other youths from Nuagaon village today on allegations of attacking the young couple on Sunday.

The police have got many complaints about local youths harassing commuters on the lonely stretch of the newly constructed road encircling the Khandagiri-Udayagiri hills. Many couples coming to Jayadev Vatika have allegedly fallen victim to these local goons who have been harassing them.

“Whenever we pass through this road, we find youths from the nearby village passing lewd remarks at young girls. They even snatch money and other valuables from people,” said Swagat Mohanty, a resident of nearby Satya Sai Enclave, adding that lack of police action against these locals have made this stretch a safe heaven for criminal activities.