February 24, 2007	Saturday	Safar 6, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: As many as 13 women were gang-raped by armed bandits at a brick kiln, reportedly owned by ruling Samajwadi Party leader OP Singh, in eastern Uttar Pradesh India, police said.

While the incident took place in a remote village in Ballia district, about 400 km from Lucknow, around midnight on Wednesday, information reached the state headquarters on Friday. Director General of Police Bua Singh gave instructions to register a case, Times of India reported.“The Ballia police have registered a case of gang rape against unidentified armed bandits who were also alleged to have looted personal belongings of the women including their jewellery.

The women were engaged as ordinary labour at the brick kiln in Sihoridih village under Bhimpur police station,” Singh said.

—APP