Cong sets up 5-member panel to probe 'rising crimes' against women in Odisha

THE Congress on Thursday constituted a five-member fact-finding team of its women leaders to visit Odisha and submit a comprehensive report on the alleged rise in atrocities against women and reports of a large number of women missing in the state.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

The initiative comes in the wake of the horrific rape incident of a college girl at Gopalpur in Odisha on Sunday.

Congress general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi will be the convener of the five-member panel, which also includes three MPs.

"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-numbering in the thousands over the past few years-Hon'ble Congress President has deputed a fact-finding team to visit Odisha and submit a comprehensive report on the situation," AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal, said in a statement.

He said the fact-finding team comprises Deepa Dasmunshi (convener), MPs Ranjeet Ranjan, Praniti Shinde and S Jothimani, and Shobha Oza.

A 20-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by around 10 people at an isolated place on Gopalpur beach, a renowned tourist destination in Odisha, police said.