Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended full support to the 23-year-old medical student who was allegedly gang-raped in West Bengal's Durgapur. In a phone call on Monday, Majhi personally spoke to the survivor, offering reassurance and promising every possible assistance from the Odisha government.
“Don’t worry at all. The Odisha government stands firmly with you and your family. We will take care of everything. Please don’t lose hope, face this situation with courage,” the Chief Minister told the second-year MBBS student, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Durgapur.
The survivor, originally from Odisha, is enrolled at a private medical college in Durgapur and was allegedly assaulted by at least five men while returning from dinner with a male friend on the evening of October 10.
During the call, a video of which was shared by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Majhi also conveyed his wishes for her swift recovery and assured her of continued support in pursuing her education. He encouraged her to communicate any concerns to Odisha government officials who had travelled to Durgapur to meet her. “Speak openly to our people who are there to help you,” he added.
In the conversation, the survivor requested to be transferred to a medical college in Odisha to continue her studies closer to home. Responding to her appeal, the Chief Minister said, “Since you are studying at a private medical college, I’ll need to look into how we can facilitate the transfer. I’ve already directed officials to explore the options.”
Majhi also spoke to the survivor’s mother during the call, asking whether their concerns had been shared with West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose, who had visited the hospital earlier the same day. Reiterating his government’s commitment, he assured the family that Odisha would press for justice. “The Odisha government will exert pressure at every level to ensure the culprits are punished severely for this heinous crime,” Majhi told the mother.
Further, the Chief Minister instructed Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) Chairperson Shovana Mohanty, who was present at the hospital, to maintain communication with West Bengal authorities and to actively follow up on the case.
