Odisha Grapples with Spate of Sexual Assaults; Seventh Gang-Rape Reported in 20 Days

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 2nd July: Odisha is facing growing concerns over women’s safety and law and order as yet another alleged gang-rape was reported on Tuesday, marking the seventh such case of sexual assault in less than 20 days across the eastern state.

According to police, the latest incident occurred near Bhalukhai forest, where a woman was grazing goats. She was allegedly waylaid and gang-raped by two men, identified as Bhajaman Bhoi and Sunanda Pihu. Both accused were arrested within hours of the incident following a complaint filed by the survivor.

“The survivor has accused Bhajaman Bhoi and Sananda Pihu of gang-raping her near Bhalumara forest while she was on her way to graze goats. She was brutally raped. Upon being informed, we conducted a raid and arrested the two accused,” stated Bairi police station Inspector-in-Charge Ansumala Das. Local residents have indicated that the accused were known to the survivor. Police have initiated a detailed investigation into the matter.

This incident adds to a disturbing series of rape and gang-rape cases that have emerged from various parts of Odisha since mid-June.

On Tuesday, police also confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old distant relative in Ganjam district, who allegedly raped a Class 7 student on June 28.

Earlier, on June 25, a 17-year-old girl in Ganjam district was reportedly raped by a clinic owner. In a separate and equally distressing case, a young woman was allegedly gang-raped in Mayurbhanj district while returning home from a local temple.

Another horrific incident on June 19 saw a 31-year-old woman allegedly gang-raped by four men in Mayurbhanj district. A day prior, on June 18, the body of a 17-year-old girl was discovered hanging from a tree in a paddy field near her home in Keonjhar district. Her family, who reported her missing the previous evening, alleged she was sexually assaulted before her death. Police have confirmed injury marks on the body and are conducting a thorough investigation.

The alarming trend began on June 15, when a college student was reportedly gang-raped at Gopalpur sea beach, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals.

The surge in sexual assault cases has sparked widespread public outcry and intensified calls for immediate action to ensure the safety of women and to address the deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha.