Bhubaneswar: The Congress Party has criticised the state government for police ‘failure’ to nab the accused in Kunduli gangrape case and warned of intensifying protests from November 2.
“The state police have failed to nab the culprits responsible for the rape of a 14-year-old tribal girl 14 days ago,” said Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan, adding, “Although the investigations are being carried out under red flag category the perpetrator are at large.”
Harichandan alleged despite the victim’s claim that she could identify the accused, the police are clueless.
Accusing the cops of ‘shielding’ the accused, he said, on the pretext of appointing a counselor for the victim, the victim was being mentally tortured to change her stance.
He also alleged instead of nabbing the perpetrators, the state police have arrested some relatives of the victim.
When the reporters sought to know whether the party will seek a CBI probe, the OPCC leader said, “The party has lost its faith on CBI as the agency has failed to nab culprits in many cases including Itishree murder case.”
Congress MLA and party’s Dalit cell chief Krushna Sagaria also blasted the government for its failure to pay compensation to the victim.
There is scope for payment of compensation of Rs 8.25lakh to such victims. “But the state government has not paid a single penny to her family,” the OPCC chief said.
Notably, the minor was gangraped in a forest near Sorisapadar under Pottangi police limits in Koraput district when she was on her way back from school. She was intercepted by four persons in Army uniform before being and taken to the nearby forest.
Meanwhile, the Congress leaders threatened to gherao Raj Bhawan November 2 if the police fail to nab the accused in addition to intensifying their protests across state.
Meanwhile, the BJD leaders have said the government has ordered a probe into the issue. Congress leaders should not politicise the issue, they added.