Phulbani: The block administration swung into action and extended a helping hand to Janaki Parichha of Pureipadar village under Phiringia block in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district who walked 100 km with her two minor children for eight long days to appear as witness in a rape case involving her sister.
On learning the incident, the local BDO visited her thatched house in the remote village and began a probe. He allotted 40 kilo rice for her eight-member family and a house under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’. The BDO further added that she would be given work with her job card under the MGNREGA scheme.
It may be noted here that Janaki’s sister was raped 17 years ago. Janaki December 31 received a notice from Bhanjanagar court to be present as a witness. Janaki lived with her husband and six children. The couple lived in a thatched house on a hilly terrain after they were allegedly ostracised after her sister’s rape. The couple eked out a living by weaving bamboo wares and doing other petty jobs.
Failing to arrange bus fare, Janaki with her two minor children set off on foot all the way to appear on the court January 1, 2017 on New Year. She walked eight days before she reached and appeared as a witness in the court. She fed her children with whatever passers-by provided out of sympathy and took shelter under trees at nights in the chilly weather.
Seeing her pathetic condition, a passer-by gave her lift on his motorbike and handed her Rs 20 with which she reached the court. Later, some lawyers out of sympathy collected some money and handed it over to her before putting her on a bus that took her to her village, sources said. PNN
