Other States - Orissa

Rape case: Ravenshaw students stage protest

CUTTACK: Students of Ravenshaw University, under the banner of All India DSO, on Friday observed Black Day and staged a protest meeting in front of the university gate demanding immediate arrest of the culprits involved in Adaspur college girl rape case.

Students belonging to DSO wore black badges and went around the campus in a rally raising slogans and making classroom speeches. Condemning the incident, DSO leaders criticized the police administration for what they called “sweeping the incident under carpet.”

It may be mentioned here that a college student was kidnapped by some anti-socials on Tuesday while the former was on her way to the college. She was allegedly raped after being taken to a deserted place in a car. Although, police complaints have been made, no action has yet been initiated, the students allege.

“We would launch a state-wide students’ movement if no action is taken within 24 hours,” threatened the DSO Ravenshaw unit secretary Sanjib Jena.

Instead of acting firmly on such complaints, police and the State administration were trying to protect the culprits, the leaders alleged in their address at the protest meeting. The speakers also pointed out that many victims, fearing dent in their social status, were not coming forward to report such cases.

They also alleged that the State government was indirectly encouraging such nefarious activities across the State by not acting against the illegal trade of blue CD, intoxicants, porno magazines and double-meaning audio cassettes. The students also demanded ban on sex education in educational institutions and ban on AIDS control campaigns. There was also a call for imparting martial art training to girl students.

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