No role in minor’s rape, say Maoists

BHUBANESWAR: A CLASS 11 STUDENT OF SORISAPADAR VILLAGE WAS RAPED ALLEGEDLY BY FOUR UNIFORMED MEN ON TUESDAY

The outlawed CPI (Maoist) has condemned the rape of a minor tribal girl in Koraput district and denied its involvement in the crime.

In an audio tape on Friday night, Andhra-Odisha border special zonal committee spokesperson Jagabandhu denounced the act and called for a Koraput bandh on October 16 to protest against the incident.

“We are not involved in the incident. We never do such kind of heinous acts. We are being falsely implicated in the case. We’ll observe a bandh in Koraput district on October 16,” Jagabandhu said.

The Maoists’ denial was in response to the police suspicion that the ultras in combat uniform might have raped the girl.

The CRPF, BSF and local police engaged in anti-Maoist operations in the area have already denied the involvement of their personnel in the rape.

A Class 11 student of Sorisapadar village was raped allegedly by four uniformed men on Tuesday. The incident had sparked public outcry.

The opposition Congress has also given a seven-hour bandh call on Monday, demanding immediate arrest of culprits involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, the State Commission for Women (SCW) has registered a case to ensure speedy action. The panel has sent a fourmember team to Koraput to meet the survivor and discuss progress of the investigation in the matter with police officials.