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Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by some of her distant relatives in Chandanpur area of Puri district in Odisha on October 22.
This heinous crime came to light when the minor victim lodged a complaint in this regard at Chandanpur police station on Friday.
“A 16-year-old Dalit girl lodged a complaint at the police station on Friday, alleging that her uncle and brother, both distant relatives of the same village, forcibly raped her while she was sleeping at home with her seven-year-old sister in the early hours of October 22. According to the complaint, the victim’s family had gone to watch the immersion procession of the idol of Goddess Kali,” a local police officer told IANS.
Later, after the family members returned home, the victim narrated her ordeal to her mother. Locals claimed that the family was initially reluctant to lodge a complaint due to pressure from villagers. However, the victim along with her mother reached the police station on Friday and lodged a complaint against the accused.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case and detained the two accused persons – both daily wage labourers, who are currently being interrogated at the police station.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Biju Janata Dal on Friday strongly condemned the heinous incident and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the Home portfolio.
“This shocking crime once again exposes the complete breakdown of law and order in Odisha. The BJD has time and again reiterated that the law enforcement machinery in the state has failed miserably. The fear of law has disappeared, while criminals now operate with impunity,” the party alleged in a press statement. BJD also said that more than 5,000 women have been raped in Odisha alone in the last 16 months, highlighting the deteriorating condition of women under the current BJP government in Odisha.
It further said, “BJD expresses deep sorrow over this barbaric act and holds the state government responsible for the increasing crimes against women. Politicization of the police force has eroded public trust and emboldened criminals.”
–IANS
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