Delhi Woman Assaulted in Jajpur Amid Gopalpur Outrage

Jajpur: In yet another disturbing incident raising alarms about the safety of women in Odisha, a woman from Delhi was allegedly manhandled by two youths in Jajpur district, just days after the state was shaken by the Gopalpur gangrape case.

The woman, identified as Puja, had come to visit her friend Tapaswini Das in Tarangasagarpur village under the jurisdiction of Dasarathpur police. According to sources, the incident took place on Sunday evening when Puja and Tapaswini were returning from a visit to the historic Biraja Peetha. While walking home from a nearby bus stop, the two women were allegedly accosted and manhandled by two inebriated youths from the same village.

The situation reportedly escalated when Tapaswini’s brother and nephew arrived on a two-wheeler to escort them home. Both were allegedly assaulted by the youths during the confrontation.

Later that night, around 10 PM, Puja and Tapaswini lodged a formal complaint at Dasarathpur Police Station. However, they claim that the police have not taken any substantial action in response to their allegations so far.

The incident comes amid national outrage over the Gopalpur gangrape case, prompting the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take suo motu cognisance. The Commission has issued notices to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, demanding a comprehensive report within two weeks. The report is expected to cover the status of the investigation, the victim’s current condition, and any support measures such as compensation or counselling provided by the state.

With two high-profile cases surfacing in quick succession, concerns are mounting over the deteriorating state of women’s safety in Odisha. Citizens and rights groups are calling for stronger policing, swifter justice, and systemic reforms to restore confidence in the law enforcement system.