Bhubaneswar: Demanding justice for the Kunduli ‘gang rape’ victim, BJP activists Monday tried to gherao Naveen Niwas (residence of CM Naveen Patnaik) but police foiled their bid.
They marched in a procession from their party headquarters to Naveen Niwas demanding CBI probe into the incident to provide justice to the victim. The state government has failed to give justice to the minor tribal girl even after 100 days of the incident forcing the girl to commit suicide, said state BJP vice president Sameer Mohanty.
“Fifteen days have passed since the death of the rape victim. But, the state government is keeping silent and the accused are yet to be identified. The case should be handed over to CBI,” he said.
As the BJP workers crossed Sishu Bhawan Square and were marching towards the CM’s residence, they had a scuffle with the police when the demonstrators forcefully tried to move towards the Naveen Nivas to lodge their protest.
Later, the police managed to arrest some of the BJP activists and chase away the demonstrators. A few saffron leaders had also tried to forcefully enter the state Secretariat but police restrained them.
Meanwhile, a National Human Rights Commission team led by DSP Rabi Singh has arrived in the state to inquire into the incident. The team is in Korput and will interact with the family members of the deceased and probe the incident during its five-day stay in the state.
In a related development, a three-member team of the BJP central team headed by its leader Saroj Pandey Monday returned to Delhi after conducting an on-the-spot investigation at Kunduli.
Commenting on the developments, BJD spokesperson and MP Pratap Keshari Deb said, “The BJP is just trying to gain political mileage from the issue keeping Bijepur bypoll in mind. But they will not succeed. The state government is taking all necessary steps to provide justice to the victim.”
PNN