Bhubaneswar, August 4: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main opposition party, has announced a six-hour strike in Odisha’s Puri district on August 7, demanding justice in the case of a minor girl from Balanga who allegedly died under suspicious circumstances following a sexual assault.
Speaking to the media, Puri district BJD president Umakanta Samantray announced that a strike would be observed from 6 AM to 12 PM on Thursday.
He criticized the lack of transparency and the delay in justice. He warned that the party would step up its agitation if concrete action was not taken soon.
Raising serious concerns over the investigation, the BJD accused the state government of shielding the real culprits and highlighted what it called significant discrepancies in the official narrative. The girl, who was receiving treatment at AIIMS Delhi, reportedly died in unclear conditions, prompting questions about the events leading to her death.
BJD leaders further alleged that the victim’s father had initially spoken out but later changed his version, allegedly under pressure from unknown quarters.
Calling the incident a matter of "public conscience," the BJD demanded a fair, impartial investigation and urged the government to expose the truth and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
