Baripada: Locals under the banner of several Hindu and Muslim organisations observed a 12-hour strike on Friday by closing down Chadheibhol Bazaar in Karanjia of Mayurbhanj district demanding justice for the minor girl, who was gang-raped and murdered in Kathua of Jammu & Kashmir.
The agitators staged a road blockade on National Highway 49 by burning tyres and demanded stringent action against the culprits.
Movement of vehicles on the busy road connecting Keonjhar and Karanjia was disrupted for several hours due to the blockade.
Most shops remained closed as traders extended their support to the strike.
On January 10, the eight-year-old girl Asifa Bano was grazing horses near her house when one of the accused, a 19-year-old boy, called her to a nearby forest pretending to help look for a missing horse. When the girl went with the boy to the forest, he dragged her to a secluded place. For three days, the accused and seven others gang-raped her repeatedly.
Her body was found in the forest area on January 17.
