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CBI probe into rape of woman activist

Staff Correspondent

Crime graph on the rise in Uttaranchal, alleges BJP

DEHRA DUN: The Uttaranchal Government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into alleged gang-rape of a woman activist staging a dharna seeking closure of a liquor shop at Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district last week.

Announcing this in the Vidhan Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hirdeyesh said efforts were also being made to find out why the local police did not register it as a case of atrocity against a Dalit woman.

The announcement came after the entire Opposition entered the well of the House shouting slogans for justice to the Dalit woman who had been gang-raped when she was staging a dharna.

Several members also wanted to know how the Pithoragarh District Magistrate was saying that she had not been raped while the Chief Minister had sanctioned a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakhs for the victim the very next day after the incident.

Markets in Gangolihat had remained closed in protest for four days and angry crowds blocked roads in Pithoragarh and neighbouring towns last week.

Several members also wanted a CBI probe into the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl near the Santla Devi temple in Dehra Dun city on Saturday. The child had come to offer prayers at the temple with her family from Saharanpur. Her body was recovered from the bushes near the temple by the police the next day. "The increasing number of rape and murder cases in the State indicate that the law and order enforcing agencies have failed miserably and the Government should immediately revamp the police structure in the interest of the State," BJP members told newspersons later.

PTI adds: The Opposition staged a noisy walkout alleging that the crime graph was on the rise.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Prakash Pant of the BJP demanded stern action against culprits who raped the Dalit woman.

Mr. Pant was supported by other BJP members on the issue, alleging that the local administration was trying to cover up the rape case. Opposition members also demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs for the victim and sought suspension of guilty police personnel in this regard.

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