At least 115 child rapecases have been registered in 59 days, the month of Januaryand February this year, in Odisha, the state assembly wasinformed today.
These child rape cases were reported in 30 of the 36police districts in the state, Women and Child DevelopmentMinister Usha Devi said while replying to a written questionin the Assembly.
The highest number of 11 child rape cases wereregistered in Balasore district followed by eight cases inCuttack and Rourkela police districts each and seven inNabarangpur district.
Quoting information from home department on the childrape cases, the minister said as many as 2071 girl childrenwere allegedly raped in the state between 2010 and 2012.
While the number of child rape cases was 580 in 2010,it increased to 638 in 2011 and further rose to 853 in 2012,she said.
Though Keonjhar district registered the maximum 126child rape cases in that period, no such case has so far beenregistered there during the first two months of 2013.
On steps to check the increasing child rape cases, theminister said,
"The state government has been implementingprovisions under The Protection of Children from SexualOffences Act, 2012."
"The state government has directed the police tocomplete investigations of child rape cases as early aspossible and submit chargesheets," she said.
This apart, the minister said, the government has madeprovisions of police patrolling in crowded places, fairs,festivals, parks, schools and colleges, markets, sea beachesand cinema halls.