Paradip, July 21: A 30-year-old man from a small hamlet close to the proposed Posco project site here married a gang-rape victim and set an example to follow before the youths of the entire country.

The victim girl was gang-raped at Balituth village only a fortnight ago. Police are still trying to nab the offenders.

“Narayan Swain has set an example by marrying the victim girl. He has recently informed the police regarding the solemnisation of the marriage. We wish the newlyweds a happy married life,” said inspector of Kujang police station Chinmoy Rout, who is also investigating the gang-rape case.

The 22-year-girl was gang raped by three persons in the casuarina forest area at Balitutha village close to the proposed Posco plant site on July 3. The incident came to light with the victim’s boyfriend, Swain, lodging a complaint in this regard.

“I love her and had resolved to make her my life partner. But, god played a cruel joke on us. She was abused. I was thoroughly broken. She was also traumatised. To add to the trauma, she was afraid that I would leave her after the nightmarish ordeal. But, I am not going to let her down. My family was initially reluctant. But I have managed to convince them. They have consented to the marriage,” said the groom, Swain.

The marriage was performed in a temple. A simple social ceremony was also organised. Both our parents and close relatives graced the occasion and blessed us, he said.

Indramani Swain, the groom’s father from Kankaradiha village within the limits of Kujang police station, said: “I pray to god to keep both of them happy and contented. I hope my daughter-in-law will be caring towards my son and the family. I would wish to forget what she had to go through.”

“I am happy to know that the girl is now happily married. The police are trying to nab the culprits,” said Jagatsinghpur police superintendent Satyabrata Bhoi.