Puri: In a horrific incident, a young girl was allegedly gang-raped by more than 12 persons for around 10 days inside a room in Odisha’s Konark area in Puri district. The girl, a resident of Kolkata, was brought to Odisha by a woman on the pretext of job, sources said.

The victim was held captive in a room at Konark Market Complex, located just two kilometres away from the Sun Temple, and was allegedly forced into prostitution.

The incident came to light when the victim was spotted by the locals screaming for help on the roof of the house. Following this, the locals informed the police.

The police, along with the help of fire brigade personnel broke open the door of the room and rescued the girl, who was writhing in pain, sources added.

Wasting no time, the police rushed the victim to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gop in the district. Later, she was shifted to Puri district headquarters hospital when her condition turned serious. A medical examination will be conducted on her later.

Narrating her ordeal to reporters in a choked voice, the victim said: “One girl had brought me here promising she will help me finding a job but kept in a lodge for some days and forced me into prostitution.” “Subash, Krishna and Raj, among others used to run the prostitution with the help of the woman”.

Meanwhile, the house owner and the woman who brought her to Odisha are absconding.

The Konark police have launched an investigation into the incident and launched a manhunt to nab the culprits.