Baripada: The Mayurbhanj police have arrested a 30-year-old auto-driver allegedly for the rape of a 16-year old girl in Thakurmunda area.

The accused identified as Babu Sethi had committed the offence on Thursday night. He was produced before the court on Friday. The victim was found unconscious on the road on Thursday morning. She was rushed to the sub-divisional hospital in Karanjia. Police said she was still under treatment. According to sources, the victim had gone to a fair with her father, mother and younger brother in the auto rickshaw driven by the Sethi.

While others were busy in the fair, he managed to take her away to a secluded place and raped her leaving her in an unconscious state.

The father of the victim lodged an FIR alleging sexual assault by the accused after drugging her.

The incident has triggered tension in the area. Local residents alleged that the police failed to nab the culprit. They even resorted to an agitation.

They pelted stones on the police personnel and damaged a police vehicle.

The police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the crowd. Four platoons of police force were deployed in the area.

"The accused was apprehended immediately after the compliant was received. He has been forwarded to the court after being booked under Section 376 of IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) act following his medical examination," said district superintendent of police Awinash Kumar.