Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday took suo motu cognisance of reports of a mob attack on a 22-year-old woman in Rayagada district and sought a detailed report from the Odisha police.
The NCW directed Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania to submit a detailed action taken report within seven days regarding the incident.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of June 16 in Kalyansinghpur area of Rayagada after rumours of ‘child lifters’ spread in the locality, leading to an alleged attack on two interns of an NGO.
The Commission has sought detailed information on the FIR registered in the case, including provisions invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The NCW has also sought
updates on the investigation, arrests made so far, and steps taken to identify those responsible for circulating rumours that allegedly triggered the incident.
This apart, the Commission asked authorities to provide details of medical treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation being given to the survivor. It has also sought information on safety measures being implemented for NGO workers, interns, and other vulnerable groups working in the area.
The Commission has instructed Odisha Police to outline steps being taken to prevent mob vigilantism, including community policing initiatives and awareness drives to counter misinformation and rumour-mongering.
According to police, the incident occurred when two NGO interns were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamala district to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi. They reportedly lost their way while using Google Maps and entered the Kalyansinghpur area.
They stopped at Kandulguda village under Silet panchayat to ask for directions and interacted with locals, including children celebrating the Raja festival. Police said the duo allegedly distributed chocolates to children, after which rumours spread that they were attempting to lure minors.
A mob soon gathered and confronted the two, and despite showing identity documents, they were allegedly surrounded and questioned. The situation escalated when they attempted to seek police assistance.