20-yr-old gang-raped by 10 men at popular beach in Ganjam dist
Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: Ten men allegedly gang-raped a Plus III student after holding her boyfriend hostage on a popular beach in Ganjam district on Sunday evening. Seven of the 10 were detained on Monday and efforts are on to nab the rest.
Police sources said the 20-year-old survivor had gone to the beach with her boyfriend, who studies with her. They were sitting in a secluded area of the beach when the men surrounded them around 9.30 pm.
"The allegedly drunk perpetrators made vulgar remarks at the girl. When her boyfriend objected to their behaviour, they assaulted him and dragged him away while others raped her. They held the boyfriend hostage at a distance," a police officer said.
Police sources said the men gagged her, preventing her from raising her voice. The perpetrators fled after raping her.
The girl reached the police station around 11 pm. Initially, she was hesitant to file a complaint. But was later persuaded by her boyfriend to lodge a complaint, police said.
"We have detained seven out of 10 suspects, all in their 20s. All of them belong to Ganjam district. Raids are being conducted to nab the remaining three accused.
Most of them are unemployed. Their criminal antecedents, if any, are being verified," Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M told TOI. The SP and his personnel also inspected the site of the crime.
Police sources said the survivor lives in a rented apartment with three other women. The survivor underwent medical examination and appears to be stable. She is being provided with psychological support, police said.
The incident comes days after the alleged gang-rape of a Class IX student in beachside hotel in Puri.
Three men were subsequently arrested.
"The affected stretch of beach in Ganjam reportedly lacks proper illumination. District authorities should address this issue and enhance security patrolling to protect visitors," said Srinibash Subudhi, working president of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha.
According to Debasis Kumar, vice-president of Hotel Association of Puri, "Safety of visitors at tourist places should be accorded top priority. Police should review security measures at prominent tourist hangouts at regular intervals."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
10 held for gang rape of college student
Berhampur: The Berhampur police arrested six persons and detained four juveniles in connection with the horrific gang rape of a college student at the popular Gopalpur sea beach on Sunday evening, SP Saravana Vivek M said on Tuesday. The six accused persons were identified as Pramod Nayak (23) of Purushottampur, Kunal Pradhan (24) of Bellagam police limits and Baburam Dalai (19), Lakman Pradhan (24), Om Pradhan (19) and Deepak Tarai of Hinjili police station area. All the juveniles detained in the case hail from Sikiri village in Hinjili police limits. The prime accused, Pramod, a B Tech dropout, currently working in an electronics factory in Bengaluru, had recently come home on leave. He was also involved in two more criminal cases in the past. The Berhampur SP said on June 15, the 20-year-old victim, who is studying +3 in a Berhampur college, along with her classmate, visited the popular Gopalpur beach at around 6.30 pm to celebrate Raja festival and reached an area behind a hotel on the beach. They also spotted the persons sitting around 50 metres away from the spot. 'At around 8 pm, the group of men came behind the couple and overpowered the male friend and dragged the woman around 50 feet away. Three accused persons (Pramod, Baburam and Kunal) raped the woman while seven others helped them by keeping the man and woman captive. 'They released the man and the victim at around 10 pm,' said the Berhampur SP. The rapists and their accomplices, while leaving the place, also threatened the duo that they would face dire consequences if they filed any complaint with the police regarding the gang-rape. The accused men also extorted money from the victim and her friend. Later, the victim and her friend reached Gopalpur police station and narrated their ordeal at around 11 pm on Sunday. The IIC of Gopalpur police station immediately formed a team and detained seven of the suspects initially and started interrogation. Later three teams were formed to identify and detain the rest of the suspects. Based on the complaint lodged by the victim, a case has been registered under Sections 70(1), 296, 351(3), and 310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Saravana Vivek said Odisha police will take all steps to ensure the rapists get the maximum punishment under the law, following their trial. 'As all the juveniles involved in the case are aged 17 years and this is a case of a heinous offence, we will pray to the Juvenile Justice Board to treat the juveniles as adults for the purpose of trial,' the SP said. Answering queries over poor security arrangements at Gopalpur beach, the Berhampur SP assured that police will increase patrolling in the area and urge the district administration to improve solar lighting and other amenities to ensure the safety of tourists on the beach.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Meghalaya still a safe destination: Conrad
GUWAHATI: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has announced sweeping new security protocols to safeguard tourists after the murder of Indore-based transporter Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon near Cherrapunji. "The tragic murder of Raja Raghuvanshi shook not just Meghalaya but the entire nation," Sangma said in an interview with TOI. "My first reaction, like that of every citizen, was one of shock and deep concern. But beyond that, our responsibility as a govt was clear. We had to act swiftly, responsibly, and transparently." Raghuvanshi was allegedly killed by his wife Sonam and four accomplices, including her boyfriend, on May 23 near Wei Sawdong falls. The case cast a shadow on Meghalaya's image as a tourist destination, sparking public outrage. All five suspects are now in Meghalaya police custody. Sangma said Meghalaya police quickly solved the case, underscoring the administration's commitment to justice and safety. "This case reaffirms what we have always believed - Meghalaya, and North-East, remains a safe destination for tourists. Wrongdoing will never be tolerated." To bolster confidence, Sangma unveiled a real-time distress response and service support system via the upcoming Meghalaya tourism app. It will list hotels and homestays, track overnight stays, and allow instant alerts in emergencies. "We have also launched the 'tourist buddy' scheme to guide and assist visitors, especially in remote and lesser-known destinations," he said. The state has started enforcing carrying capacity norms at heavily visited sites to protect fragile ecosystems and improve visitor experiences. New tourism circuits are being developed, including a residential music village in Wahkhen and an adventure hub in South Garo Hills. Sangma said tourist arrivals remain steady. "Tourism in Meghalaya remains robust, with positive feedback on hospitality. We are positioning the state as more than just a sightseeing destination - hosting global artists and reinforcing Shillong's identity as India's music capital." His govt is also tightening internal security by monitoring Meghalaya's 443km border with Bangladesh. Coordination with Centre aims to address infiltration concerns. On the border dispute with Assam, Sangma said progress has been made in several areas. "We are working on building mutual respect and shared prosperity to ensure lasting peace." Turning to the economy, Sangma said investment is rising and Meghalaya aims to double its gross state domestic product by 2028. "We plan to become a $10 billion economy by 2032, with focus on infrastructure, technology, and entrepreneurship," he said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Gang rape at beach throws spotlight on tourist police cell infra, staff shortage
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The gang rape of a 20-year-old college student on a beach in Ganjam district on Sunday has raised questions about the effectiveness of tourist police cells in ensuring safety of visitors. Eight tourist police cells were set up in 2015 in various locations — three in Bhubaneswar (at Lingaraj, Dhauli and Nandankanan police stations), three in Puri (at Sea Beach, Konark and Brahmagiri police stations), and one each at Gopalpur and Chandipur police stations. The cells are facing challenges in effective functioning due to inadequate infrastructure and staff shortage, operating with existing police station personnel. "While each cell has a sanctioned strength of at least a sub-inspector, an assistant SI and six constables, they are running with half the number. Even though they are supposed to deal with tourist related matters, these personnel are being engaged in routine policing job," said a police officer, requesting anonymity. The cells largely handle complaints about theft and robbery of tourist belongings, with additional reports of tourist harassment in Puri and Bhubaneswar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Tourism secretary Balwant Singh told TOI, "We previously sent a proposal to the home department, requesting to strengthen the existing tourist police cells with adequate manpower and other infrastructure. We will again pursue the matter." Sources in the home department said the tourist police cells will be strengthened soon. "Recruitment plans are under consideration of the govt," a home department official said. Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio, emphasised tourist safety is a priority. "I have already spoken with state police to enhance the safety measures at tourist destinations," Parida said. The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) had prepared a 'Tourist Police Scheme' report in 2022, advising states to develop standard operating procedures, implement training for 'tourist cops', and establish uniform guidelines. "We will conduct security audits and training programmes for tourism stakeholders. Proposals will be sent to local administrations to improve lighting systems and install CCTV cameras at popular tourist destinations. We will also improve police visibility and surveillance," a senior police officer said. Police said the state witnesses minimal tourist-related crime. "Molestation of a Swedish woman near Lingaraj Temple in 2024 was the lone case against a foreigner reported in the state in the last four years. The case ended in conviction of the accused within three weeks. The number of offences involving theft and snatching of articles of domestic tourists is minimal," the police officer said. The state received about 1.09 crore domestic and 53,392 foreign tourists in 2024, with Puri, Konark and Chilika lake the key attractions.
