Bhubaneswar: At a time when opposition parties have upped the ante against the State government over its failure to nab the Koraput gang rape accused, BJD on Friday found itself in an awkward situation after its Dalit Cell president Bishnu Das said he suspects involvement of SOG jawans in the incident.
Addressing a press conference, Das stated that based on the statements of the survivor and on spot inquiry conducted by the Dalit cell team, SOG jawans’ involvement in the gang rape incident is suspected as the accused wore military uniform and had covered their faces with black bandana.
The accused had dragged the class IX student into the forest after finding her alone and gang raped her. Hence, a detailed investigation is required to take to task those involved in the incident, Das said.
A detailed report in this connection has been submitted to the Odisha government today, Das added.
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“Other than SOG jawans no one else is involved in the gang rape and we demand a full-fledged inquiry by crime branch ADG,” said Das.
Meanwhile, the statements of the senior BJD leader have provided an opportunity to opposition BJP to train its gun on ruling-BJD.
BJP Dalit Morcha in-charge Dilip Mallick while addressing a press conference demanded that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik should clarify as to when the accused in the gang rape will be nabbed as involvement of SOG has come to fore.
On the other hand, the agitation by Congress in Bhubaneswar demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the gang rape and justice for the survivor entered its second day today.
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“ The BJD team has submitted its report and claimed that SOG have committed the crime and hence government should take immediately arrest the accused,” said Senior Congress leader Pradip Majhi.
However, later in the evening, Das distanced himself from his remarks on the involvement of SOG jawans in the incident.
In a written clarification, Das stated that he has presented a written handout and his verbal statements have been misinterpreted by the media.
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