OHRC seeks report on gang rape of minor in Koraput

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday directed Additional DG of Police-cum-IG of Police, Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) and Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the government, ST & SC Development Department, to investigate the Koraput minor girl gang rape case and submit their respective reports within seven days.

The Commission issued the directive while hearing separate petitions over the incident by five human rights activists, Akhanda, Pradipta Nayak, Prabir Kumar Das, Biswapriya Kanungo and Debaranjan Sarangi.

The Superintendent, Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (erstwhile district Headquarters Hospital) at Koraput, has been asked to provide adequate and proper treatment to the victim and submit his report to the Commission by special messenger, including a copy of the injury report within a week. If necessary, the victim may be sent to a higher centre for advanced and specialised treatment even outside the state if such facilities are not available here, it said.

The IG of Police, South-Western Range, Koraput and the Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput, have also been asked to submit their detailed and exhaustive reports about the horrendous incident.

The commission recommended the district administration to arrange counselling support to the victim and provide protection to the family so that they are not subjected to any kind of pressure to hush up the incident.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday had announced free medical treatment for the victim and if necessary, shift her to a hospital outside the state for better treatment.

Meanwhile, DGP RP Sharma has classified it as a ‘Red Flag’ case.

The minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by four security personnel in a forest near Sorishpadar village under Pottangi police limits on Tuesday while she was returning home from shool.