Locals protest police inaction in rape case in Odisha’s Astaranga

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Astaranga, Apr 27:

Alleging police inaction against the accused person in the rape of a minor from the Dalit community which had taken place on April 5, angry locals today pelted stones at the police and attempted to barge in into the police station at Astaranga in Odisha’s Puri district.

Several Dalit organizations took to the street today protesting against the tardy progress made in the investigations in a rape case in which a minor from the Dalit community was allegedly raped on April 5.

While tension is palpable in the area following the incident four policemen including Nimapara DSP have been injured in the stone pelting by the locals. Several persons have been also injured in the scuffle between locals and policemen.

Protestors demanded stringent action against the IIC of Astaranga police station and Nimapara DSP for their failure to nab the culprits in the case.

“We demand the arrest of the culprit involved in the rape. We demand the arrest of Astaranga IIC Rabi Bhanja and the DSP under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for facilitating the escape of the accused and failure to conduct the medical examination at the proper time,” said Litu Das a protestor.

Notably, a minor girl of Patalada village under Astaranga police station limits was allegedly raped in broad daylight by a youth Manoj Mallick of the same village on April 5 last. The matter was reported to the police the next day.

However, the situation was under control at the filing of this report.