OHRC seeks report in 7 days

BHUBANESWAR: A day after the gang-rape of a minor girl in Koraput district led to outrage across the State, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday directed Additional DG, Human Rights Protection Cell and Commissioner-cum-Secretary to ST and SC Development Department to probe into the matter and submit their reports within seven days.

The rights watchdog, which heard four petitions on the day, also asked Koraput Collector and DIG South-Western Range to submit their exhaustive reports on the incident.
The Superintendent of Sahid Laxman Nayak (SLN) Medical College and Hospital was directed to provide adequate treatment to the victim. If need arises, she may be sent outside the State for better treatment in case medical facilities are not available in Odisha, Acting Chairperson of OHRC Justice BK Mishra ordered.

He also asked SLN Medical College and Hospital Superintendent to submit a report to the Commission by a special messenger, including copy of the injury report within seven days.
The OHRC has also asked district administration to arrange counselling for the victim and necessary financial assistance to her kin from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Proper medical facilities and shelter must be provided to the victim as well as her parents.

Justice Mishra also directed Koraput Collector and SP to provide protection to the victim and her parents so that they are not subjected to any pressure to cover up the incident. All assistance including legal support from the District Legal Services Authority must be provided to the victim, the panel directed.
Earlier, five human rights activists and advocates including Prabir Kumar Das,  Biswapriya Kanungo, Debaranjan Sarangi, Akhanda and Pradipta Nayak filed petitions before the OHRC alleging that the 14-year-old tribal girl was allegedly gang-raped by four uniformed men suspected to be personnel belonging to paramilitary forces deployed in Koraput to combat Maoists.They expressed apprehensions that the District Police may try to hush up the matter because of alleged involvement of para military forces.