Protests erupt after gang rape of 2 minor girls in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Gang rape of two minor girls in Bhubaneswar prompted the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party to hit the streets on Wednesday.

Student Congress activists hurled eggs on the official residence of Minister of State (Home) Tusarkanti Behera seeking his resignation. 

The Congress activists scuffled with police while they tried to barge into Behera’s residence.

Yashir Nawaj, President of the outfit said, “Tusarkanti Behera looks after two portfolios. In woman cricketer Rajashree’s death case, her family members are yet to get justice. If he is unable to perform his duty properly, he should tender his resignation.”

Another Congress activist said, “Two minor girls were raped throughout the night in Bhubaneswar. But police and the Home department are not doing anything for the safety of women.” 

Rashmi Mohapatra, Congress leader, said, “It is a matter of concern that family members of rape victims made rounds of police stations to file complaint. It is really unfortunate. Besides, this incident proved that railway stations in Odisha are unsafe especially for girls. It is shameful that two minor girls including a differently-abled were gang raped near Patia Railway Station. When they approached the concerned police station in-charge, complaints were not registered. This should not happen.”

Meanwhile, the saffron party activists slammed the state government over the gang rape of two minor girls and vented out their anger by staging a protest at Lower PMG Square.

Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar district BJP President said, “Atrocities on women are on rise in Odisha as if the government has taken oath to make it happen every week. Be it woman cricketer Rajashree’s death case or yesterday’s gang rape case, these incidents prove that women in Odisha are unsafe. Police and government have failed to come up with measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents.”

Reported by Bibartan Panda, OTV