Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has directed the Odisha government to provide a detailed action taken report within seven days, regarding the alleged rape of a tribal girl at a state-run hostel in Koraput district.
The notice, prompted by a complaint from the opposition BJD, was sent on May 9 to the state’s additional chief secretary of the Home department, the principal secretary of the ST and SC Development and Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, and the Director General of Police.
The authorities are required to submit the report via post, in person, or through other communication channels.
The NCST cautioned that failure to comply within the specified period could lead to the commission invoking its civil court powers under Article 338A of the Constitution, potentially issuing summons for personal or representative appearance.
The eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth inside Guneipada ST-SC Girls’ Hostel at Kalapada village under Lamtaput block in Koraput district on the night of April 13.
The BJD in its memorandum called the incident distressing while mentioning the CM himself belongs to a tribal community. “….These incidents are repeatedly reported in the media, yet there appears to be no serious remedial or punitive action from the state government. On the contrary, it seems efforts are being made to shield the perpetrators rather than ensure justice,” the BJD had said in the memorandum.
“Since July, 2024, at least 26 students have tragically died in such state-run schools,” it added.
