Cuttack: Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, RP Sharma today raised concerns over rising rapes of minor girls in the State.
Addressing media persons at a presser at the police headquarters in Cuttack, Sharma said many cases of rape of minor girls were reported in April and this is quite a disturbing trend.
"A directive has been issued to police officials to consider such incidents as ‘Red Flag’ cases and take strict action," stated Sharma.
"It has been found out that in 92.5% of such cases, the accused is either a relative of the survivor or neighbour or an acquaintance belonging to same community or locality. The perpetrators of the crime are known to the survivor,” Sharma stated.
In all the cases reported, the SPs and DCPs have taken prompt action. “The culprits have been arrested within 24 hours of complaint in 70% of such cases,” he added.
Besides, cops have been asked to file charge-sheet in such rape cases within four weeks after the matter is reported.
Yesterday, the DGP had held discussions via video conferencing with all SPs and DCPs about the rising cases of rape of minor girls.
The government has already said that special public prosecutors will be appointed to expedite trial in such rape cases.
Meanwhile, the press conference by the Police DG today sparked a political blame game with the Opposition criticising the ruling BJD of using police as a shield to hide the worsening law and order situation in State.
Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said since the incidences of rapes in Odisha especially some recent cases have attracted attention of national level media, Chief Minister has been worried and so made a statement through the Police DG.
Toeing on similar lines, BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said that the presser by the DGP is just an attempt by the State Government to hide the poor law and order situation. While women are suffering from all kinds of torture and violence the government has just turned a mute spectator. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is not saying anything so by using the DGP it is trying to show that everything is okay in the State.
On the other hand, the ruling BJD has refuted any such allegations. Party Spokesperson Sameer Das said that discussions on demand for grants will be held in Odisha Assembly on Thursday and the Chief Minister will answer all the issues that the Opposition may be having.