Shelter home shame: BJP to protest in all district headquarters

Bhubaneswar: Protesting the alleged sexual harassment of girl inmates at Good News India’s Dream Centre shelter home at Beltikiri in Dhenkanal district, the BJP has announced to launch a two-day state-wide agitation in all district headquarters from today.

Demanding the removal of Women and Child Development Minister, Prafulla Samal, the saffron party will hold meetings in all the district headquarters and burn his effigies, informed BJP Mahila Morcha president, Pravati Parida on Thursday.

Further accusing BJD spokesperson, Sasmit Patra of having links with the Good News India’s managing director Fayaz Rahman, Parida demanded an investigation into the alleged nexus.

“It was under the patronage of Patra that Rahman expanded his shelter home network. Therefore, Patra is responsible for everything that happened in the shelter home,” alleged Parida.

Earlier the BJP had alleged that the shelter homes were involved in religious conversion of the inmates, especially boys and girls from the tribal community.

On Thursday, officials of children protection unit, children welfare committee and police led by the sub-collector conducted a raid at a branch of Dream Centre shelter home in Rayagada district.

Similar raid was also conducted at Dream Centre shelter home at Sanokumuli village of Nabarangpur district.