Balasore, Aug. 7: Baripada Town police arrested three persons last evening in connection with the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.

The trio were identified as Bapuni Mukhi, Hinga Mukhi and Bapi Mukhi. All of them are aged between 25 and 30 years.

All three accused, who also happen to be distant relatives of the victim, used to work as sweepers in the district headquarters hospital in Baripada.

While Bapuni and Hinga allegedly raped the girl, Bapi kept the victim captive after the incident. The incident came to light after Bapi let off the victim yesterday.

After her release, the minor girl narrated her ordeal to her parents. A police complaint was subsequently lodged.

According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Sungadia, had gone to an open field nearby on Monday evening when two of the accused raped her.

Baripada sub-divisional police officer Sudhakar Jena said: “Bapuni and Hinga raped the girl, while Bapi helped them. Bapi also tried to negotiate a mutual compromise.”