JEYPORE/KORAPUT/BHUBANESWAR:Still clueless about Sarispadar gang-rape, Koraput police on Thursday sent in teams to para military forces’ base camps to verify if their personnel were out in Musaguda forests on the day the Class IX tribal girl was gang-raped.
Log books were checked and unit heads quizzed as police teams enquired about movements of jawans from their camps in Pottangi, Narayanptana and Nandapur areas which are close to the crime scene.
Sources said the victim is apparently steadfast in her claim that she was gang-raped by four men in military fatigues and they spoke in Hindi. However, police, so far, have made no headway.
Even as the road blockade on National Highway 26 over the gang-rape was lifted late on Wednesday following assurance to expedite action and compensation from the administration, a team of senior officers went to the crime scene to analyse the sequence of events.
South Western Range DIG S Shyni and Koraput SP Kanwar Vishal Singh visited the spot and interacted with the locals. While five special teams have been formed by State police to analyse different angles of the case, police said it would be too premature too say about the findings.
With the 14-year-old victim still recovering from the trauma and injuries, police are yet to record her statement. “The victim will be thoroughly examined only after she is medically fit to do so. Her family members too would be examined,” said police sources.
Similarly, medical examination is yet to be out. A professor of MKCG Medical College and Hospital and Additional Director of Regional Forensic Science Laboratory are assisting in the matter.
Director-General of Police Dr R P Sharma said chemical examination report would be critical for the case and if necessary, DNA samples, if available, would be sent for profiling.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team began investigation by visiting the spot after being briefed by DIG Shyni and SP Singh. They met the victim’s mother and relatives to gather statements. The team members are scheduled to visit peripheral villages the next day.
Earlier, blockade on NH 26 was lifted as Collector A Saha and senior police officials held discussions with the agitators and assured to provide speedy justice and suitable compensation.Vehicular traffic resumed between Koraput and Visakhaptanam.
Members of the Congress also visited Musaguda and interacted with villagers. Pradesh Congress vice-president Pradip Majhi and Pottangi MLA Ram Chandra Kadam were a part of the team.