Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress called for a six-hour shutdown in Chandbali block of Bhadrak district district in Odisha on Thursday over the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in the area.
The decision to observe bandh from 6 am to 12 noon was announced separately by Chandbali MLA and BJD leader Byomakesh Ray and Congress leader Digambar Das.
Expressing deep grief and shock over the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi promised stringent punishment to the accused as per law. He also announced Rs 10 lakh assistance to the kin of the deceased girl from the chief minister’s relief fund (CMRF).
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida condemned the incident and said the government will ensure that strict action is taken against the accused.
Stating that police are arresting the accused swiftly in such cases, she said incidents like this must not recur in the state. The Deputy CM stressed that responsibility lies not only with the government but also with the
community to prevent such criminal acts.
Activists of the two parties are likely to stage road blockades and resort to picketing during the bandh. Essential services have been kept out of the purview of the bandh.
Meanwhile, angry locals ransacked the house of the prime accused located in Rampalli area of Chandbali. The accused, identified as Babul Das, was arrested by a police team from Jagatsinghpur.
Demanding justice, locals blocked roads at several places in Chandbali by burning tyres on Wednesday.
Notably, the 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered, while her body was found in a naked condition at a deserted spot near the Baligaon panchayat office on the outskirts of Chandbali town on Tuesday evening.
Locals said the girl, who was a Class III student, had left her house around 2 pm but did not return. As evening set in, her family searched for the girl but failed to trace her. Later, locals found her body and informed the family members.
The incident sparked massive outrage, with hundreds of people gathering at the spot. Protesters blocked the Bhadrak-Chandbali main road at Baligaon, burning tyres and staging a demonstration.
Due to the road blockade, hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road on Tuesday night.
Police personnel in strength have been deployed in Chandbali to prevent any further escalation, as the situation in the area remains tense.