Women's panel seeks report after Odisha NGO worker stripped, molested by mob
The Odisha State Commission for Women has recorded the statement of a 22-year-old NGO worker who was allegedly disrobed and molested by a mob in
The Odisha State Commission for Women has recorded the statement of a 22-year-old NGO worker who was allegedly disrobed and molested by a mob in Rayagada district, while the Commission for Women has sought an action taken report from the state police chief. The NCW took suo motu cognisance of the incident after media reports said the attack took place over rumours that the woman was a child-lifter. Read Full Story In its notice on Monday, the NCW asked the DGP for details of the FIR and the sections invoked, the status of the investigation, arrests made, and action taken against those responsible for spreading rumours.
It also sought details of the medical care, counselling and rehabilitation provided to the survivor, and asked for the report within seven days. The commission also sought a report on measures to ensure the safety of NGO workers and interns, and steps to prevent mob vigilantism through community policing and public awareness campaigns. According to Odisha SCW chairperson Sovana Mohanty, the incident took place on the night of June 16 under the jurisdiction of Kalyansinghpur police station. The woman from Delhi and her male colleague from Gujarat were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district when they lost their way and approached Kandulguda village.
They were then mistaken for child-lifters and attacked by a mob of more than 100 people. Mohanty said she spoke to the survivor through video conferencing. "I spoke to the victim through video conferencing and assured her that justice will be provided and all the culprits arrested," she told reporters. Police said 21 people have been apprehended so far, and more arrests will be made on the basis of video footage and circumstantial evidence. IGP Shyni S, who heads the Crime Against Women and Children Wing of the Crime Branch, said a large group of people, many allegedly intoxicated, targeted the woman on the basis of baseless allegations.
She also praised local youth Balaram Bag for saving the woman from the mob. The case is now being pursued by the police as the state and national women’s commissions seek reports and action on the attack and the rumours linked to it. Ends
The BriefWire