Protests rocked Jalpaiguri district on Saturday over the suicide of a visually impaired minor who was allegedly raped by local youths for months.

The 16-year-old girl, who had consumed poison in April-end, died in hospital on May 1.

Five persons have been arrested in connection with the girl’s death, said sources.

Around 10am on Saturday, over 100 residents from the girl’s village raised a blockade on a local road.

“The 16-year-old visually impaired girl used to live with her elderly father. Some local youths took advantage of her situation and raped her a number of times. As she could not find a way out of the torture, she consumed poison,” said a resident.

On May 1, the girl died at the super-specialty hospital in Jalpaiguri.

Since then, agitated residents urged the police to act against the accused.

On Saturday, the blockade halted traffic on the route. “We have information that before the girl breathed her last, she gave a statement to the police. The police should act immediately. We all know who tortured her,” said a protester.

Soon, a police team and elected representatives of local bodies reached the site of the blockade.

They persuaded agitators to lift the blockade after an hour.

“Based on her statement, five persons have been arrested. Probe is on,” said a senior police officer.