"CM should resign on moral grounds": Congress MP on gangrape of 20-yr-old woman in Odisha

New Delhi [India], June 18 : Days after the alleged gangrape of a 20-year-old woman at the Gopalpur beach in Odisha's Ganjam district, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on "moral grounds".
He also alleged that the State is witnessing an increase in crimes against women over the last year.
Ulaka told ANI, "It is a very sad and tragic incident...Such a heinous crime, how dare they do something like this in Gopalpur? This is because over the last year, the atrocities against women have increased. We have been demanding continuously to take action. We wanted to form a House Committee. I have raised this in Parliament that around 50,000 women are missing. Multiple brutal rapes are happening all over the state"
He further alleged that the BJP-led government is not taking any action to prevent crimes against women in the State.
"Because the Government is not taking any steps and nothing is happening, the perpetrators have the courage to do such activities. I think the CM should be held accountable for this because he is also the Home Minister. So, on moral grounds, ideally, the CM should resign. But we have seen that the BJP government never takes accountability."
"If there is any shame left, the CM should resign immediately. This is our demand. Women's Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance. But this is not enough, someone has to take accountability and ensure that women and girls in the state are safe."
Earlier on the day, Congress leaders and workers enter into a scuffle with police on Wednesday as they protested against the recent Gopalpur beach gang rape case. The protesters, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, were marching towards the CM's residence when they were stopped by the police. The police detained several Congress leaders and workers during the protest.
The horrific gang-rape of a 20-year-old college student at the Gopalpur beach in Odisha's Ganjam district sparked a row with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) calling it a "complete breakdown" of law and order.
The police have nabbed 10 people - six adults and four juveniles - in connection with the gang rape of the 20-year-old-college student from Berhampur, who was out with her male friend in the Gopalpur beach on Monday.
According to the police, around 8 pm, 10 local youths, six adults and four minors at the beach overpowered the woman and her male friend. Three of the accused allegedly raped the woman while others kept watch on her male friend. The police immediately launched an investigation after the woman and her male friend registered a police complaint at the police station after 10 pm.
"After 10 pm, the woman and man came to the police station. As soon as the police reported the incident, they formed a team, and seven suspects were detained for questioning. The rest of three accused were also detained. All 10 accused - six adults and four minors - the adults have been arrested, the minors have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. Pleas will be sent to the Juvenile Justice Board to treat minors as adults, as they are above 16. They are all 17 years old," Berhampur SP said.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep condemnation of the heinous gang rape incident in Gopalpur, stating that strict and exemplary action will be taken against the perpetrators.