NCW member unhappy over govt steps on Nayagarh foeticide

Bhubaneswar, July 26 (UNI): National Commission for Women (NCW) member Manjulata Hembram today criticised the Orissa government for its alleged callous attitude to deal with the investigation of the female foeticide in Nayagarh where hundreds foetuses were recently recovered from an abandoned well.

Ms Hembram, who visited Nayagarh along with State Women Commission Chairperson Namita Panda for an on the spot investigation into the incident, told reporters that she would submit a report to the Commission recommending punitive actions against the culprits as per the PNDT Act.

To a question, the NCW member said she was not at all satisfied with the action of the district administration and wondered mysterious disappearance of seven female foeticides recovered from a foothill on July 14 last.

Ms Hembram said all illegal and unlicensed ultra sound clinic in the state should be immediately closed and the state government should take strong action against those involved in this criminal acts.

She said it was most shocking that a doctor involved in the female foeticide has not yet been arrested by the police. The NCW member would meet the Home Secretary and other senior Police officials of the state here tomorrow and seek their reports on the issues.

The Orissa government has already ordered a Crime Branch inquiry into the incident while the Opposition Congress has demanded a CBI inquiry and resignation of State Health Minister Druryadhan Majhi holding him responsible for the incident.

The NCW member also came down heavily on the Health department officials for their failure to check the female foeticide going on rampantly in Nayagarh.

When asked whether she would recommend a CBI inquiry as demanded by the Opposition political parties, Ms Hembram refused to comment stating that she would submit her report to the NCW on her arrival in Delhi.

UNI