Keonjhar, Oct 26: Expressing concern over the series of rape episodes in Keonjhar districts within a week, Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) has initiated spot inquiries on Monday.

A team  of OSCW led by the Chairman Dr Minati Behera has visited Keonjhar district in the morning  and took stock of the incidents.

Sources said, as many as three rape cases took place at different places in last four days.Out of which, two minor girls have been murdered after rape while another girl was  gang raped being lifted up from backyard of her house.

The first incident came to the fore at Haladiguana village on October 20, under Keonjhar Sadar police limit. A minor girl went missing  after she went out for a dance programme. Her nude body was recovered from a paddy field on October 22.

Similarly,another rape case came to the lime light when a gang  overpowered a minor girl in Maidankel village under the Sadar police and raped her inhumanely. However, she narowly escaped from death with her wit.

The third rape and murder incident took place at Budhakhaman village under Pandapada police on October 24. A girl’s body was recovered from a village pond after two days from her missing.Police recovered the body whose legs were bound altogether.

Acting on it, OSCW Chairperson, Dr Minati Behera and member Arti Singh along with ASP Bijay Barua and Law  Officer Aurovind Patnaik visited the three villages and the crime spots.They also discussed with the family members of the vitims.

Later,they met  Keonjhar SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra and discussed the status of investigation of the cases.