Bhubaneswar: The National Commissioner for Schedule Tribes has issued notices to Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home, DGP and Principal Secretary of SC, ST Development Department in connection to alleged atrocities against minor tribal girls in the State.
After receiving a complaint regarding the alleged rape of a minor girl at Guneipada ST SC Girls Hostel, Lamtaput Block, Machkund PS, Koraput district, and systemic failures in ST & SC Girls Hostels in the State, the Commission has sent notices to ACS, Home Principal Secretary, ST and SC Development Department and the DGP.
The Commission has asked the three senior officers to submit facts and information on the alleged incident within 7 days via post or other communication means.
Failure to reply within the stipulated time may lead to NCST exercising powers under Article 338A, including issuing summons for a personal appearance or representation before the Commission.
The BJD had submitted a memorandum to the NCST on May 5 through its Regional Office in Bhubaneswar. The matter is under investigation by NCST per Article 338A of the Constitution of India.
“It is deeply distressing that despite the state having a chief minister from the tribal community, incidents of rape and atrocities against tribal girls continue to occur unabated. These incidents are repeatedly reported in the media, yet there appears to be no serious remedial or punitive action from the State Government. On the contrary, it seems efforts are being made to shield the perpetrators rather than ensure justice,” the BJD had stated in the memorandum.
It pointed out that since July, 2024, at least 26 students have tragically died in such state-run schools.
Referring to the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl at Guneiguda ST & SC Girls’ Hostel in Koraput district, the BJD said its team visited the site of the incident on May 3.