Bhubaneswar, December 24: Expressing heartfelt condolences, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the family of the 10-year-old rape and murder victim in Chandbali of Bhadrak district.
The Chief Minister also directed a proper investigation in the heinous crime and strictest possible punishment for the guilty.
“After being informed about the shocking incident that occurred near Chandabali in Bhadrak district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has expressed deep sorrow and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul,” the Chief Minister’s Office posted on ‘X’.
“The Chief Minister has directed that a proper investigation be conducted into the incident and that the guilty be awarded strictest possible punishment as per the law. He has also announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the nearest kin of the victim’s family,” it wrote.
Meanwhile, Bhadrak police arrested the accused in the rape and murder case from Jagatsinghpur district.
The blood-soaked body the minor girl was recovered from a forested area near Baligaon panchayat office under Chandbali police limits on Tuesday night triggering protest by locals. The minor’s family alleged that she was raped and murdered. The victim belongs to Naligaon village.
According to reports, some locals spotted the girl’s body last evening. Tension flared up as thousands of villagers gathered at the spot. The body was recovered and sent to Chandbali community health centre for postmortem.
The minor had left home after informing her family that she was going to school. When she failed to return, her family members searched for her, following which her body was found in the forest triggering tension in the area.
Meanwhile. the incident has not only triggered public outrage but also intensified political confrontation in Odisha.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main opposition force in the State, squarely blamed the State government for the incident, alleging repeated failures of police machinery.
The regional party has also announced ‘Chandbali Bandh’ on Thursday from 6 AM to 12 noon to register their protest.
