As per reports, the youths identified as Chhotu Binjhia and Jetu Pradhan had abducted the minor yesterday night while she was watching a dance programme in her village. Later, they took her to a field near a graveyard and raped her.
Police along with villagers had launched a search operation and rescued the girl today morning from the field.
"An 11-year-old girl under Birmitrapur police was lured by some youths of her village to a nearby field, where she was raped. After getting information, police along with villagers rescued the girl and the two accused were arrested. The rape survivor and accused have been sent for medical examination and investigation is underway," said a senior police official.
Also read: Two youths abduct, rape Class IX girl
On the other hand, two accused in the rape of a Class IX girl in Kodibahal village under Kantamal Tehsil of Boudh district have been arrested by Kantamal police from Bandhajhuli today.
Earlier on Sunday evening, the youths had abducted the girl in front of her aunt to a nearby forest where one of them had allegedly raped her.
In a letter to Patnaik, Gadkari said "I was surprised and pained to receive your letter and media reports suggesting the delay on part of NHAI. I may like to clarify that all these projects are delayed for want of forest clearance and land issues.”
He promised to begin the work within seven days of necessary approvals.
Recalling the previous meeting with him in Delhi, Gadkari reminded Patnaik that he had raised the issues of forest clearance and land acquisition and the CM had assured to resolve all pending issues at the earliest. However, four such projects are waiting for necessary approvals from Odisha government, the letter read.
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"I raised the issue regarding inordinate delay from the Forest Department , Government of Odisha in granting approvals and also delay in land acquisition, due to which major projects of about 500 km length with investment of about Rs 5000 crore were not getting started," he said though his letter.
The Union Minister further stated that the Odisha government should appreciate his stand as he rejected its proposal for a new two lane Brahmani bridge and approved six lane instead in view of future growth in traffic and socio economic importance of the bridge.
He stated that his ministry has been proactively taking up development of NH in Odisha and already projects of 3121 km with approximately an investment of Rs 22,011 crore has been on in the State.
In reply to the letter of Gadkari, Odisha Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh today informed the State Assembly that forest clearance is not required for the construction of bridge over river Brahmani in Rourkela.
“There is no forest near the proposed bridge site. Rourkela DFO has already apprised his higher authorities on the matter. Moreover, no land acquisition is required for construction of a bridge over Brahamni river. I request to BJP not to mislead the people and expedite the work,” Arukh said.
BJP legislature party chief KV Singhdeo came down on the ruling party for misleading the House. “I support the proposal of Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra for formation of Privileges Committee, which could clear the government motive over the issue. Minister Arukh could have clarified the forest clearance matter much before the Naveen-Gadkari meeting in Delhi. The ruling party is trying to divert attention from the main issue,” Singhdeo said.
Till last reports came in, three fire tending units have been deployed to douse the flames. People have been evacuated from nearby places as a safety precaution.
Police and administrative officials are also present at the spot and are closely monitoring the situation.
Party activists led by district Congress president George Tirkey started picketing in the morning in front of the Birmitrapur police station and shut down the market complex. The vehicular communication also has come to a grinding halt as the protesters blocked roads at different places in the town.
The party questioned that why is the government showing a lackadaisical attitude in the sensitive case even as 13 days have passed since the incident occurred? The family members of the victim are waiting for justice, Congress workers said.
According to police, the case is being investigated as per the protocols of National Human Rights Commission.
Earlier on November 20, locals also laid siege to the Birmitrapur police station demanding a case against the police officials involved in the custodial death and their suspension.
Victim Md Tariq Salim, who was detained in connection with a kidnapping case, died in police custody under unknown circumstances.
He was taken to various locations during the course of investigation in the kidnap case. He suddenly fell ill following which police rushed him to Rourkela government hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Family members had alleged that Tariq died due to police excess.
A similar case had also taken place in Puri where an accused died in custody due to alleged police excess.
The twin incidents had created a statewide outcry with the Opposition parties-BJP and Congress stalling the winter session of the State Assembly multiple times.