Bhubaneswar: Jaleswar town came to a standstill on Tuesday as the BJD and Congress enforced separate shutdowns protesting the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.
While BJD observed a 12-hour bandh from 6 am, Congress called an 8-hour shutdown, both demanding justice for the victim. The girl was allegedly raped and murdered on October 16 and her body was found on October 22.
Protesters blocked the main road and raised slogans against police. Shops and business establishments downed shutters and local transport was hit. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was diverted through the bypass and remained unaffected, police said.
BJD MLA Aswini Kumar Patra, who led the protest, alleged that though the victim’s father had handed over the accused to police, he was let off after two days. The accused and two of his associates were arrested later only after public outrage.
“Who instructed police to release the accused? That person must be investigated,” Patra said. BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das said locals are angry over police inaction and demanded a high-level probe.
Congress demanded a Crime Branch inquiry, suspension of Jaleswar IIC and Rs 50 lakh compensation for the victim’s family.
