Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Jul 22: Odisha is once again reeling from the shock of two brutal rape incidents reported in the Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur districts, fueling the ongoing debate surrounding the escalating cases of atrocities against women in the state.

In Jagatsinghpur, a disturbing incident unfolded when an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted. Police have arrested one individual, but a manhunt is underway for the second accused. The victim's father recounted the harrowing details: his daughter, after attending a birthday party, was led astray by an acquaintance through paddy fields where she was then ambushed and sexually abused by two unknown individuals. The victim lost consciousness and was later hospitalized, where she is currently receiving treatment. Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police, Bhawani Sankar Udgata, confirmed that an investigation is actively ongoing with three teams formed to apprehend the identified absconding accused.

Meanwhile, Jajpur district has been rocked by another appalling case involving the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl hockey player. Police have arrested three individuals, including two former coaches and one current coach from the district's Hockey Training Centre. The victim filed a complaint on July 20. Investigations revealed that the current coach, Sandip Swain, allegedly sexually assaulted the minor during a sports tour to Rourkela about two months prior. Furthermore, on July 3, former coaches Sagar Nayak and Sarthak Mohanty reportedly lured the victim to a lodge under the guise of giving her a gift, where they then sexually assaulted her. Fortunately, lodge staff intervened upon hearing the girl's cries, rescuing her from the assailants. It has also come to light that despite the victim's earlier complaint to the District Sports Officer of Jajpur, no action was reportedly taken.