Bhubaneswar, December 20: Youth Congress workers staged a fierce protest in Bhubaneswar on Saturday over the Dhuali gangrape incident, trying to gherao Chief Minister's residence. Police intervened, detaining hundreds of protesters after they hurled eggs at barricades.

The protest was in response to the December 10 gangrape of a 17-year-old girl near the Daya River. Three suspects have been arrested, but two remain at large. Congress leaders criticized the delay in arrests and raised concerns over the investigation's handling, demanding accountability from the Commissionerate Police.

Youth Congress leader Yasir Nawaz accused the BJP government of failing to curb rising crimes against women in Odisha. He pointed to increasing rape and gangrape cases over the past 18 months and questioned police inaction in ensuring safety at tourist sites.

Odisha Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati demanded compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a government job for the victim’s family, also criticizing the government's failure.

While BJD president Naveen Patnaik condemned the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida accused opposition parties of politicizing the case. The Odisha Women’s Commission has provided counselling to the victim, and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed the case will be fast-tracked in co