Jajpur: Amid ongoing outrage over the Gopalpur gangrape case, another disturbing incident has come to light from Odisha’s Jajpur district, where a woman from Delhi was allegedly manhandled by two local youths.

According to reports, the woman, identified as Puja, was visiting her friend Tapaswini Das in Tarangasagarpur village under Dasarathpur police limits. On Sunday evening, while returning from a visit to the Biraja Peetha, Puja and Tapaswini were walking home from a nearby bus stop when two young men from the same village allegedly manhandled Puja.

Tapaswini and Puja claimed the two youths were in an inebriated state. As the situation escalated, Tapaswini’s brother and nephew—who had arrived on a two-wheeler to escort them home—intervened, but were allegedly assaulted by the drunk youths as well.

Later, at around 10 PM, Puja and Tapaswini lodged a formal complaint at the Dasarathpur Police Station. However, the complainants allege no concrete action has been taken by the police so far.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the Gopalpur gangrape case, which occurred just days earlier, and issued notices to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and DGP Y.B. Khurania. The NHRC has sought a detailed report from the State Government within two weeks, asking for updates on the investigation, the victim’s health status, and any compensation or counselling provided.

These back-to-back incidents have raised serious questions about women’s safety in Odisha and the urgency of a stronger and more responsive law enforcement mechanism.