AIDWA demands probe into women Maoist allegation

"We demand a probe by the police into allegations made by at least two girls who surrendered before police in Gajapati district yesterday," AIDWA state secretary Tapasi Praharaj said.

Stating that two girls have directly accused Dandapani Mohanty of "abetting sexual exploitation" in Maoist camps, Praharaj expressed wonder how the state government remained silent over the issue.

"I am surprised that the state government did not initiate any step to nab the culprits involved in the crime.

Police have admitted that the girls were sexually exploited by Maoist leaders in camps," Praharaj said.

Besides the two girls from Gajapati district, other women who recently surrendered before police on July 4 had also named Mohanty as the person who engineered their exploitation in Maoist camps.

Mohanty, however, refuted allegation claiming that police was trying to suppress his voice by making false allegations.

"I welcome any inquiry. But not by the police. An independent body including media representatives should probe in the police-sponsored allegations," Mohanty told PTI.

Mohanty, was one of the naxal selected mediators who negotiated with the Orissa government during the hostage crisis involving the then Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna.

One of the girls who had surrendered before the Gajapati Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sarangi alleged that "he (Mohanty) used to come to the camp and threaten us with dire consequences if we ever resisted the advances of Maoist leaders in the camp."

When contacted, Sarangi said "we are investigating into the allegations made by girls against Mohanty. We will file cases after getting prima facie evidence."

The SP also confirmed that it was the third allegation against Mohanty.