NCW to probe attack on policewoman in Odisha

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has decided to conduct a probe into the murderous attack and alleged molestation of a police constable at a Congress-sponsored political rally near the Odisha Assembly building last week.

According to sources, a team from the NCW will visit the state soon to conduct the probe. A few Delhi-based Odiya organisations have moved the NCW and filed a petition appealing the commission to look into the matter. The woman constable, Pramila Padhi, was admitted to hospital with serious multiple injuries.

The NCW team is also expected to conduct a probe into the attack on women Congress activists during the police-Congress workers clash.

Congress’ counterattack

The state unit of the Congress women’s wing had also moved the commission for an inquiry into the attacks on its activists allegedly by the police.

Asima Mahananda. senior Mahila Congress leader and former president of Odisha unit of the Congress women’s wing, had submitted a memorandum in this regard to the NCW in New Delhi on Tuesday.

 The women’s wing had also registered an FIR against the Bhubaneswar police in a local police station besides drawing the attention of the state human rights commission about the incident.

 Meanwhile, police sources on Wednesday claimed that five accused who had led the assault on the woman have been identified. The police have zeroed in on them after going through CCTV footage of the location.

“We have already sent the photographs of the five accused to all the police stations in the state for their arrest,” said a source in the Bhubaneswar police.