Jatni minor rape: BJP stages protests across Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 23:

Odisha unit of BJP today organised block-level demonstrations across the state protesting against the deteriorating law and order situation leading to incidents like Jatni minor rape case that took place late on Wednesday night.

The demonstrations were largely peaceful everywhere and would continue over the next two days, party sources said.
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha BJP President Basant Panda led the protests organised near the Master Canteen square of the city.

“Law and order has gone for a toss in the state. Women are no longer safe here. Crimes and atrocities against women are on a rise while the government is in deep slumber. The Jatni incident is a clear case of police failure,” said former Bhubaneswar BJP President Amiya Dash.

Besides, hundreds of party activists gathered at major towns including Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rourkela, Cuttack etc and shouted anti-government slogans and protested against the failing law and order situation in the state. The saffron activists blocked the road and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister at various places.

Apart from BJP, many voluntary organisations and school children took out rallies demanding faster trial of the Jatni rape case and stringent punishment against the culprit.

In a related development, Commissionerate Police this evening announced that they have categorized the Jatni rape incident as a ‘red flag’ case. Any case which is identified as ‘red flag case’ will require immediate and utmost attention of all concerned and has to be dealt on top priority, as per a circular issued by former Police DG Sanjeev Marik.