Normal life affected in Puri district due to unrest over brutal gang rape

Normal life was disrupted on Friday at Konark town in Odisha's Puri district due to a 12-hour bandh called by BJP's Mahila Morcha, alleging police inaction in a gang-rape case of a woman from neighbouring West Bengal, an official said.

A 25-year-old woman from West Bengal was allegedly held captive at a market complex in Puri and gang-raped over a period of 10 days. She was rescued by the police on October 17 after raising an alarm from the roof of the building, where she was apparently detained for over a week.

"As the shops remained shut and vehicles were off the roads, tourists failed to visit Sun Temple at Konark on Friday. Local people, too mostly confined themselves at home," the official said.

Claiming that the police did not take "adequate action" in the case due to political pressure, BJP Mahila Morcha state president Prabhati Parida said the "main accused had links with the ruling BJD".

"We demand that Konark is declared a safe place for women. The police did not take action against the kingpin in the gang-rape case as it came under pressure from the ruling party," she contended.

Six people have been arrested in the case so far, but the "main accused continues to roam scot-free", she added. In her statement, the 25-year-old woman had told the police that she was brought to Odisha on the pretext of a job offer and then forced into flesh trade.