4 ‘men in uniform’ gangrape tribal girl in Odisha

A minor tribal girl in Odisha’s Koraput district was allegedly gangraped in Odisha’s Koraput district on Tuesday by four men wearing uniforms, who, her brother alleged, were paramilitary jawans engaged in anti-Maoist operations.

BSF DIG JC Nayak, however, denied involvement of any BSF men in the case.

The class 9 girl was returning to her village Musuliguda in Pottangi block of Koraput after registering her biometrics for Aadhaar card in Kundulihaata area. After taking an autorickshaw initially, she was walking when the men in uniform intercepted her and took her to a nearby forest.

The victim’s brother alleged that four BSF jawans gagged and sexually assaulted her in the forest. “One of my aunts rescued her and admitted her to hospital,” he said.

Denying involvement of BSF men, DIG Nayak said its nearest company is located about 35 km from the said spot and BSF does not operate in the area “since it is quite away from our jurisdiction”.

The girl is undergoing treatment in Koraput district hospital and is stated to be in critical condition, police said, adding that the culprits are absconding.

This incident triggered outrage among locals, who blocked the roads. Congress workers staged a dharna before the SP office, with Koraput MLA of Congress, Krushna Chandra Sagaria demanding speedy investigation and immediate arrest of the culprits.

“As per the statement of the girl, the accused persons were in uniform,” Koraput SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said, adding that a case has been registered at Pottangi police station and an inquiry has been initiated.