Friday, 03 October , 2008, 22:58
Bhubaneswar: Assuring the Christian community that stringent action would be taken against those involved in the alleged rape of a nun, the Orissa government on Friday termed the incident as "shameful" and "savage."
"Stringent action is being taken against those involved in the shameful and savage incident", Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters after asking the crime branch of police to probe into the allegation made by the nun at Baliguda police station in riot-hit Kandhamal district.
Announcing suspension of the in-charge of Baliguda police station on charge of delaying proceedings against the suspected culprits, Patnaik said: "Justice will certainly be done in the case."
Replying to a question on the delay in arresting the accused persons, the Chief Minister said: "Action is being taken."
Though the alleged rape incident took place at K Nuagaon on August 25, when the Orissa bandh was being observed as a mark of protest against the killing of the VHP leader Laxamananada Saraswati, the police swung into action only on Friday, a day after receiving medical examination report.
Four persons were arrested and inspector in-charge of Baliguda police station, K N Rao was suspended with immediate effect as the medical report stated possibility of rape, they said.
"The woman was medically examined and the report received by us suggests possibility of rape," Kandhamal superintendent of police Praveen Kumar said.
