Surge in Rape Cases in Odisha Sparks Outrage and Calls for Action
Recent Incidents of Sexual Assault in Odisha
In the past ten days, Odisha has witnessed five reported cases of rape, according to local police. The latest incident occurred in the Karanjai region of Mayurbhanj district, where a woman claimed she was gang-raped by three men while returning from a temple on June 25. The victim stated that the assailants took her to a nearby forest and assaulted her in turns. Authorities have arrested one suspect, identified as Bikash Patra, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
Another alarming case took place on June 17, when ten men were detained after a woman was gang-raped at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district. The suspects restrained her male companion when he attempted to intervene.
On June 18, the body of a 17-year-old girl was discovered hanging from a tree in Tentlapashi Village, Keonjhar district. She had been reported missing the previous day, and her family suspects she was sexually assaulted, as there were visible injuries on her body.
In a separate incident on June 19, four men allegedly invaded the home of a 31-year-old woman and raped her while her family was away at work. The suspects were reportedly known to the victim's family, leading to a police report filed by her husband in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district.
Additionally, on June 25, a 17-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a clinic owner in Berhampur, Ganjam district. The suspect had promised the victim's family that he would provide nursing education and accommodation.
Congress MLA Sofia Firdous expressed her deep concern over the rising incidents of violence against women in Odisha, stating, "It is a matter of great sorrow and shame. The increase in crimes against women within a year of the new government is alarming, and the lack of response from the authorities is equally troubling."
She further criticized the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, emphasizing that the absence of fear among criminals is indicative of the government's failure to act decisively against such offenses.