Amid growing outrage over the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl at Jatni, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the victim's family.
Patnaik announced the assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) and asked the district collector of Khurda to ensure that the funds are disbursed as soon as possible.
"Besides, the Chief Minister also directed the Home department to expedite disbursement of assistance as per rape victim compensation," a release issued by the chief minister's office said.
Earlier, the state government had announced free medical treatment to the victim.
The minor girl was raped at Loco Colony in Jatni, about 20 km from the state capital on Wednesday night.
The incident sparked a public outrage with locals staging a road blockade and gheraoed Jatni police station yesterday and demanding opening of a women police station in the area and stringent action against the accused.
While the women activists of Congress yesterday staged a silent dharna in the state capital, the BJP joined the protest today. The party activists are staging protests across the state demanding safety of women and children.
Meanwhile, DCP Satyabrat Bhoi said the police has taken steps to appoint a special public prosecutor and fast track the case. One person has been arrested in this connection, Bhoi said.
