Concerned over the recent rape and murder of a minor blind girl in Puri district, the Odisha Association for the Blind on Tuesday held a procession followed by a protest meeting in front of the State Assembly here demanding capital punishment to the accused, besides introduction of suitable law for protection, safety and security of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the State.
“The incident in Puri is very shocking. The accused must be severely punished as he raped and brutally killed an innocent visually-handicapped girl,” said association general secretary Bihari Nayak.
The agitators submitted a six-point charter of demands to the Chief Minister through the Chief Secretary. The demands included constitution of a Fast Track Court for speedy trial in the case as per the Burma Commission Report, capital punishment to the culprits, institution of a trust of Rs 10 crore under chairmanship of the Chief Minister to provide relief to the PWDs victimised by criminal elements.
They also urged the Government to order an inquiry either by the Crime Branch or the CBI to ascertain the alleged involvement of the deceased girl’s stepmother in the crime and appealed to the administration not to provide any compensation to the deceased’s parents.