Bhubaneswar: Mounting pressure on the state administration, the Congress party on Thursday announced that it will gherao the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) on Friday, protesting what it termed as a “cover-up” in the case of the minor girl’s death in Balanga, Puri district.
Congress spokesperson Nishikant Mishra lashed out at the Odisha Police, questioning the credibility of a recent tweet from the DGP’s official account, which claimed that no third party was involved in the incident.
Mishra highlighted the contradiction between the DGP’s social media statement and Puri SP’s earlier remarks that the police had obtained significant leads in the case. He criticized the premature disclosure of such details, calling it “a clear sign of interference in an ongoing investigation.”
“The police are no longer working under the law. They’re acting on instructions from the state government,” Mishra alleged, accusing the administration of trying to suppress the Balanga case instead of delivering justice under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Congress leader also drew parallels with a similar recent case in Kendrapara, where only the Inspector-in-Charge was transferred despite clear evidence of police negligence. He demanded the IIC’s suspension and registration of a criminal case against them.
Congress Media Cell Chairman Arvind Das announced that the party will intensify its agitation.
A “Nari Nyaya Padyatra” (Women’s Justice March) will be held in Balanga on August 10 to honour the minor girl, followed by another padyatra from Fakir Mohan College on August 14 to demand justice for the victim in that case.
The party has vowed to continue its protests until the victims receive justice and police accountability is ensured.
