Youth Congress workers staged a strong protest in Bhubaneswar on Saturday over the Dhauli gangrape case, attempting to gherao Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s residence.
Police stopped the protesters, who then hurled eggs at barricades. Security forces detained hundreds of Congress workers after the confrontation.
The incident stems from the December 10 gangrape of a 17-year-old girl near the Daya River in Dhauli. Police arrested three accused, including the prime suspect, but two remain absconding. Congress leaders questioned the delay in arrests and raised concerns about the investigation, demanding accountability from the Commissionerate Police.
Youth Congress leader Yasir Nawaz accused the BJP government of failing to control rising crimes against women. He said Odisha, known as the land of Lord Jagannath, has witnessed increasing cases of rape and gangrape in the past 18 months. He also questioned police inaction in ensuring safety at tourist spots after similar incidents in Gopalpur.
Odisha Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati criticised the government for failing to act decisively even during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit, citing the bomb attack near Kendriya Vidyalaya. She demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation and a government job for the victim’s family.
BJD president Naveen Patnaik condemned the incident, while opposition parties intensified attacks on the ruling BJP. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida accused rivals of politicising a tragic case. The Odisha Women’s Commission visited the victim and provided counselling. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced that the case will be tried in a fast-track court.
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