Orissa CM orders CB inquiry into female foeticide incident

Bhubaneswar, July 20 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today ordered a Crime Branch inquiry into the recent female foeticide case reported from Nayagarh.

At least seven female foetuses were found packed in polythene bags by a rag picker on the foothills of Duburi hills under Nayagarha police station on July 14.

An eight-member fact finding team, led by the People's Centre for Culture Convener Ranjan Mohanty, which visited the area had demanded a crime branch inquiry into the incident and stern action against the guilty.

The fact finding team, which interacted with the local people, police and officials, claimed that the female foeticide was a regular feature in the area and alleged a nexus among the local police, doctors, nursing home owners and district health officials.

The team also expressed concern over the 'indifferent attitude' of police and health officials to the incident. In its report, the team regretted that no steps had been initiated even three days after the incident.

Neither had any senior official of the district or the state administration visited the spot except the local police, the report said adding no significant progress in the investigation had been made so far.

The team said despite the proximity of the spot to the police outpost and district Police headquarters, police took nine hours to reach the spot.

Meanwhile, the Women and Child Welfare Department and the state Women Commission had also ordered separate inquiry into the incident.

UNI