BJP for criminal cases against ex-collector

BERHAMPUR: The BJP on Thursday demanded lodging of criminal cases against former collector of Gajapati Basudev Bahinipati and project administrator, Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Paralakhemundi, Kalyan Kumar Rath for the recent suicide of Sunita Raita, 21.
The tribal girl of Gajapati district's R Udayagiri killed self on August 13 in her house due to alleged negligence by the officers in sanctioning funds to her for pursuing nursing study."District officers were responsible for her death. The state government should lodge cases against them," party's state unit president K V Singhdeo said after visiting the deceased's house.
In a suicide note, found two days after her death, Sunita allegedly held the district collector and project administrator, ITDA, responsible for her suicide. The state government on Sunday transferred Bahinipati.
"It's not an isolated case. Such cases are reported time and again in the state. While a tribal girl committed suicide in Nabarangapur, several girls left hostels in Kandhamal due to delay in payment of stipend," KV alleged.
The government is not taking steps to prevent such incidents, he said. The attitude clearly indicates that the government is 'anti-tribal', the BJP leader charged.
A delegation of the state BJP discussed with parents of the deceased during the visit. "The parents categorically alleged that their daughter committed suicide as the district administration harassed and humiliated her," KV said.
Three MLAs of the party, state unit secretary Samir Mohanty and party's women wing state president Srimantini Jena were in the delegation.
Meanwhile, RDC (southern division) Bikash Mohapatra has started inquiry into the matter. He is in Paralakhemundi for last three days to verify records.