A six-year-old girl in a village in Cuttack is in a critical condition after she was allegedly raped, strangulated and left unconscious, PTI reported on Monday. Police have arrested a 25-year-old man who is reportedly her neighbour. Police suspect he left the girl unconscious assuming she had died.

The incident took place at a school in Jagannathpur village on Saturday evening. Reports said the child had gone to buy biscuits but then went missing, after which the residents began looking for her. After over an hour, they found the girl lying unconscious and naked inside the school campus, police said.

She was taken to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Salepur Sub-Divisional Police Officer PK Jena told PTI. She has injuries on her head, face, neck, chest and genitals, doctors said. A team of 13 doctors is treating the girl, the state’s Health Minister Pratap Jena said.

The state government will bear the cost of the girl’s treatment, he said.

Police have filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape and attempt to murder.