Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has expressed deep concern and outrage over a disturbing incident involving an 8-year-old tribal girl who was allegedly raped by a youth inside the Guneipada ST-SC Girls Hostel in Kalapada Village, Guneipada Gram Panchayat, Lamtaput Block of Koraput District on the night of 13th April 2025.
A high-level BJD delegation today visited the victim’s family to extend solidarity, assure full support, and demand justice. The delegation included Former MP Jhina Hikaka, Former MLAs Raghu Ram Padal, Ishwar Panigrahi, Ex MLA Prafulla Pangi, and Ex MLA Pritam Padhy, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Melaka, BJD Lok Sabha MP Candidate for Koraput Kausalya Hikaka, BMJD President Koraput Parbati Masti, Koraput Municipality Chairman Lalat Ranjan Sethy, Lamtaput Block Chairman Tapas Kumar Chalan, along with prominent local leaders Sudhakar Adhari, Kadambini Sethy, Chandramani Jani, and Dilip Burundi.
The leaders conveyed their anguish over the incident and unequivocally condemned the gross negligence by the hostel’s Head Mistress, who failed to report the crime, provide immediate medical care, or inform law enforcement authorities. Instead, the minor survivor was sent home, and it was only when her parents noticed her deteriorating health that the horrifying truth surfaced—an act of grave misconduct and betrayal of trust.
During their visit, the BJD leaders called attention to systemic failures within the ST-SC residential hostel system across Odisha. They revealed that since July 2024, at least 26 students have committed suicide in these hostels under questionable circumstances, including six tragic suicides—highlighting deep-rooted lapses in monitoring, accountability, and protection mechanisms in institutions meant for the upliftment and safety of marginalized tribal communities.
The BJD delegation put forth a set of urgent demands: immediate disciplinary action against the Head Mistress of the Guneipada hostel; accountability from higher officials in the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department; a directive to ensure all crimes are promptly reported to police authorities with FIRs registered without delay; and the establishment of a robust monitoring committee to carry out regular surprise inspections across all tribal girls’ hostels in the state.
Speaking to the media, BJD leaders emphasized that the safety and dignity of over 5.7 lakh students residing in 1,760 state-run residential schools and hostels cannot be compromised. These institutions must be centers of learning and empowerment—not fear, neglect, and trauma.
The Biju Janata Dal reiterates its unwavering commitment to securing justice for the child survivor and implementing comprehensive reforms to safeguard every tribal student in Odisha, said Dr.Priyabrata Majhi, Media Co-ordinator.