Bhubaneswar, March 28: Be it the tall claims of the State Government or people-friendly assurance of Odisha Police to protect children from all odds, all these have remained in words only with hundreds of examples substantiating the assertion.
In the last incident, a five-year-old rape survivor, has not only been deprived of getting justice but also been made more traumatic with culprits attempting to kill her mother and threatening the family to withdraw the case. Even they have ostracised the family. All these odds have happened to her as the concerned Banapur police in Khurda district have sat silent despite repeated complaints.
The minor girl, daughter of Somnath Barik and Lilabati Barik, residents of Kumarang village under Banapur PS was sexually assaulted on November 12, 2016 by one Mohan Behera (65) of Naranadeipur. But the FIR of the victim was registered on November 28, 2016 at Banapur PS and the accused was arrested while all material and circumstantial evidence had already been destroyed.
According to reports two local sarpanchs offered Rs 15,000 to Lilabati and asked her to remain silent. When Lilabati refused to do so, they threatened to kill her.
After the accused was released on bail, the accused reportedly tried to eliminate Lilabati by hitting her with a Scooty and engaging some people.
Lilabati’s husband, Somnath Barik is partially blind and basically he suffers from night blindness.
Meanwhile, petitions have been filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Protection of Child Right (NCPCR) alleging police inaction in the case.
