Government assistance for rape, murder victim’s family

After Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the Government’s assistance to the family members of gangrape and murder victim in the district, the administration on Wednesday sanctioned four decimal of land and issued Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) work order to them.

Collector and District Magistrate Bishnu Prasad Panda with a team of officials  visited the victim’s house at Mathatentulia village under Gondia police limits and gave the documents eight days after the incident.

Panda, District Welfare Officer PC Das, local Tehsildar and other officials enquired about the condition of the family members.

The officials said the government has taken note of the case and assured that they would get justice. Das said the administration has given them Record of Rights (homestead patta) of four decimal and ` 5,000 in first phase under IAY. The family will get ` 45,000 in phases in process of construction of house under IAY.

Das further said the application filed by Chaabi Naik, father of the victim, seeking assistance has been sent to District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for consideration.

A decision on what more help can be extended to the family will be taken on March 30 on the advice of DLSA.

Police administration has deployed security  personnel at the family’s house and taken protection measures since the day of the incident.

However, the locals and social activists said the IAY amount of ` 45,000 is inadequate for construction of a house and appealed to the Government to increase it to ` 1 lakh.

Three persons have been arrested in connection with rape and murder of 16-year-old girl last Tuesday night.