SCW spoke to victim in Rayagada case; NCW asked for report from Odisha DGP.

The Odisha State Commission for Women made a visit to Bhubaneswar and Rayagada on Monday to listen to the victim's statement regarding a disturbing incident where two NGO workers were attacked by a mob. The National Commission for Women also got involved and requested an action taken report from the DGP Odisha within seven days. Reports from the media stated that the attack happened due to false rumors about child kidnappers.

The NCW also demanded information about the FIR and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with updates on the investigation, arrests made, and actions taken against those responsible for spreading the rumors. They also wanted to know about the medical care, counseling, and rehabilitation provided to the survivor. The NCW expressed their concern and asked for details on the safety measures taken for NGO workers and efforts to prevent mob violence through community policing and public awareness campaigns.

Sovana Mohanty, the chairperson of the Odisha SCW, shared that she had a video conference with the 22-year-old victim, who was allegedly molested and disrobed by the mob on the night of June 16 in the Kalyansinghpur police station area. She assured the victim of justice and promised that all the culprits would be arrested. Mohanty also expressed her deep concern over the incident, which caused a stir across the nation.

The Crime Against Women & Children Wing of the Crime Branch-CID was assigned to monitor the investigation. The incident occurred on the night of June 16 when two NGO workers, a young woman from Delhi and her male colleague from Gujarat, were traveling from Kandhamal's Daringbadi to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district. They lost their way and ended up in a place under the Kalyansinghpur police station area in Rayagada district.

They were mistaken for child lifters and brutally attacked by a mob of over 100 people. To restore normalcy and raise awareness against spreading rumors, the police conducted a flag march in the Kalyansinghpur area. The march started from the Kalyansinghpur police station and went up to the State Bank Square.

The police officers urged the citizens not to believe in rumors, stop spreading unverified information, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands. So far, 21 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, and the police are still looking for more suspects based on the video footage and circumstantial evidence. The IGP of the CAW & CW department, Shyni S, called the incident "highly unfortunate" and stated that her department would closely monitor the investigation of the assault on the female NGO worker.

The police are also investigating the physical attack on Kalpana Behera, the Inspector in charge of Kalyansinghpur police station, who was also attacked by the mob while trying to protect the NGO worker and her colleague. Shyni condemned the incident and emphasized that it is unacceptable to attack someone without any solid evidence. She also praised a local youth, Balaram Bag, for bravely saving the woman from the mob.

She hoped that the rest of society would learn from his example and show more sensitivity and respect toward women. She urged people not to take matters into their own hands and resort to physical violence if they come across any wrongdoing in public.