Bhubaneswar: The rape of a nine-year old minor girl at Loko Colony in Jatni of Khurda district late on Wednesday night has sparked off tension in the locality with locals staging a road blockade and gheraoing Jatni police station today demanding opening of a Mahila police station in the area and stringent action against the accused.
Hundreds of local people and members of Kinnar Mahasangh burnt tyres on the road disrupting vehicular movement in the morning. The protesters also gheraoed Jatani police station for at least three hours.
“We demand a special Mahila police station in the locality and intensification of night patrolling by the police in the area. Besides, the person involved in the heinous crime should get an exemplary punishment,” said an agitating woman.
On the other hand, police produced the accused in court today after conducting a medical examination on him. Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrat Bhoi said the police will urge the government for the trial of the case in a fast track court for speedy justice.
"The accused has been produced in court today after all medical examinations were condcuted. As the case is very sensitive, we are trying to prepare chargesheet as soon as possible and taking steps for hearing of the case in a fast track court. A public prosecutor will be engaged for the case if needed," Bhoi said.
State Commission of Women (SCW) chairperson Lopamudra Buxipatra, NCP's women's wing national president and some social activists also visited the victim at Capital hospital.
"We wish her a fast recovery. We have also discussed with Khurda superintendent of police for filing of chargesheet as soon as possible to expedite the trial. The compensation matter will be taken to the government," Buxipatra said.
On the other hand, the health condition of the rape victim is improving. "The condition of the girl is better than earlier. Regular check-up is being conducted on her for which two gynecologists, one surgery and a medicine department doctors have been engaged," hospital director Dr Biswabhusan Patnaik said.
The incident has taken the political centrestage with the State BJP deciding to launch a state-wide protest tomorrow over the issue while the women's wing of the State Congress staged a silent protest at Master Canteen square today echoing similar views.
Notably, the nine-year old minor girl was raped by Ahiraj Nayak, a person of the same locality, at Loko Colony in Jatni of Khurda district late on Wednesday night.
The accused lifted the minor girl forcefully from her home late in the night while all her family members were asleep. Later, he raped her a few meters away from the home.