Two youths allegedly kidnapped a 14-year-old tribal girl from near her home in Gajole block of Malda district on Monday morning, raped her and left her bleeding 24 hours later.

The girl was admitted to Malda Medical College and Hospital with injuries to her private parts.

The girl’s grandmother filed a police complaint, based on which one of the youths has been arrested.

“On Monday morning, my granddaughter had gone to a stand-post near our house to collect drinking water. Then, two youths from the neighbouring village forcibly took her away. My younger granddaughter saw the incident and informed us. We started searching for her but could not find her. Later, we filed a missing diary with police,” said the grandmother.

The police started searching for the Class VI girl, but failed to trace her till Tuesday evening.

At night, she was spotted lying near her house, bruised and bleeding, by the neighbours.

The girl’s father is a day wage worker outside Bengal. Her mother stays with three daughters – the victim is the eldest – and her grandmother.

“Those two youths would often tease my daughter on her way to school. Once, she had raised protests. The duo didn’t like it. It seems she was kidnapped and raped out of vengeance,” said the mother.

Doctors said the girl had serious injuries in the private parts.

“She has other injuries as well and is in a critical condition. Necessary treatment has been provided and the girl is under constant observation,” said a source.

Arnab Ghosh, the superintendent of police, Malda, said the arrested youth, Dilip Soren, would be interrogated to know more about the incident.