Thu Jun 19 17:13:41 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Indian National Congress party has formed a fact-finding team to investigate a reported surge in crimes against women in Odisha, including a recent gang rape case. The team will assess the situation and deliver a comprehensive report. Congress leaders have criticized the current BJP government in Odisha, claiming a significant increase in violence against women and a lack of security despite promises made during the Prime Minister’s campaign.
**News Article:**
**Congress Forms Fact-Finding Team Amid Rising Concerns Over Crimes Against Women in Odisha**
*New Delhi – June 19, 2025* – The Indian National Congress (INC) has announced the formation of a five-member fact-finding team tasked with investigating a reported spike in crimes against women in the state of Odisha. The move comes after a recent gang rape case in Gopalpur sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the safety and security of women in the region.
The team, led by Congress general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, includes Members of Parliament Ranjeet Ranjan, Praniti Shinde, and S. Jothimani, as well as former Mahila Congress chief Shobha Oza. They are expected to visit Odisha to assess the situation on the ground and compile a comprehensive report.
“In light of the horrific rape incident reported from Gopalpur in Odisha, the increasing cases of atrocities against women, and the disturbing number of women reported missing, the Hon’ble Congress president has deputed a fact-finding team to visit Odisha,” said Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal in a statement.
The Gopalpur case involves an undergraduate student who was allegedly gang-raped by a group of ten men on June 15th while visiting the beach with her classmate.
The Congress has been sharply critical of the current BJP government in Odisha, alleging a significant increase in violence against women since they came to power. Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, at a press conference, claimed that 15 rape cases are reported daily in Odisha, and thousands of women are pleading for justice. She questioned where the criminals got the courage to act so freely. Lamba also highlighted the large number of women reported missing.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself campaigned in Odisha and won by promising security,” Lamba stated. “But…the past year of the BJP government in Odisha has been very dangerous and dreadful for the sisters, daughters, and women of the State.”
The fact-finding team’s report is expected to shed light on the extent of the problem and could potentially fuel further political debate over the issue of women’s safety in Odisha.
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