‘Red Flag’ tag for Odisha minor girl gang rape case

Bhubaneswar: The sensational incident of a minor girl allegedly gangraped by four armed jawans of the Central paramilitary forces in Koraput district yesterday has been classified as a ‘Red Flag’ case by Odisha police, informed DGP RP Sharma today.

“A case has been registered in Pottangi police station under Sections 376 (D), 377 of IPC and Section 6 of POCSO Act. The investigation of the case is in full swing. All efforts are being made to know the truth about the case and if the case is found true then who are the perpetrators. Strong action will be taken against them whosoever they may be,” Sharma said speaking to reporters today.

“Sine the victim is a minor girl and a case has been registered under POCSO Act, it has been treated as a ‘Red Flag’ case and the Crime Branch will constantly monitor the progress of the investigation. A team of CB constituting specialist investigators is being sent to Koraput to assist the investigating officers there in proper investigation of the case,” he said.

“The Assistant Director of Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Berhampur is also going to Koraput to help the investigating officers in collecting all the possible samples for chemical examination. A professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is also going to Koraput as a specialist for medical examination of the victim. Our endeavour is to ensure that no physical evidence is missed out,” the top cop said.

“Apart from different forces stationed in Koraput like BSF, CRPF, CoBRA and local police, there are Naxals who also use combat uniform. So, it is very important for us to establish that if the case is true, then who actually is involved in the case. So, we are investigating the case from all angles and keeping in mind all the possibilities,” the police official said.

“We discussed with BSF, CRPF and CoBRA officers about the incident but they denied of any movement of their forces in the area yesterday. However, we will carry an investigation in this regard about possible movement of forces or Naxals in uniform in the area,” he added.