Drop FIR against Civil Society Members and make CBI Probe of Pipili Gang rape case, urges Odisha Gana Samaj

	In reaction to an FIR lodged by 15 local people from Pipili of Odisha complaining that civil society movements in protection of the rights of the Dalit girl allegedly gang raped and attempted to be killed were meant to tarnish the image of Pipili and its residents, leaders representing different political parties and members of leading civil societies met today in Bhubaneswar under the banner of Odisha Gana Samaj to discuss the issue that came up as follow up of alleged heinous rape case in Arjunagoda village. While appreciating the State Government’s step in providing necessary treatment and protection to the victim, they urged upon the State Government to handover the case along with the un-natural death of Babita Behera of the same village to CBI because both the cases are related where one consequently followed the other.
In the meeting, the leaders discussed regarding the FIR lodged against Prasanta Patnaik, Rabi Das, Conveners of the Odisha Gana Samaj, Women Congress President and former Minister Bijaylaxmi Sahu, former Minister Panchanana Kanungo, and former police I.G. Surendra Nath Swain and condemned the same saying that it is nothing but an attempt to divert the public attention against the miscreants and inaction of the Government. The Fir has been termed as mollified and motivated action of few intending to divert the public attention.The leaders further said in the interest of the public and to uphold democratic values, the case filed in the Pipili Police Station should be withdrawn and the police should take appropriate action against persons who have filed such false and fabricated allegations. Amongst others, Suresh Panigrahi of CPI (M), Mahendra Parida of CPI (ML), Lenin Sarani, Rabi Behera of S.J.P., Bhabani Parija of Odisha, Joint Conveners Rabi Das and Prasanta Patnaik, Senior media persons Ramesh Mohanty and Girija Dash were present during the discussion. It was decided in the today’s meeting to convene an emergency meeting of Odisha Gana Samaja on June 18, 2012, Monday at the Conference Hall of Red Cross Bhavan, Bhubaneswar at 5 p.m. to decide the future course of action. It’s to be mentioned that, an FIR was lodged on Thursday, June 7, 2012 against two senior journalists, two local leaders and a former top police officer on charges of defaming Pipili and its residents by raising the issue of alleged gang rape case of a Dalit girl.