TNI Bureau: The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) strongly criticised the state and central governments following the alleged rape of a seven-year-old Tibetan girl in Chandragiri area of Gajapati district, calling it a matter of national and international concern.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan, PCC senior spokesperson Sonali Sahu said Odisha has become unsafe for women. Citing NCRB data, she claimed the state ranks first in crimes against women, followed by Maharashtra. She also referred to a written reply by the Chief Minister on December 8, 2025, stating that in the last 15 months, 40,943 cases of violence against women were reported in the state, including over 4,000 rape cases.

Sahu recalled that after the Gopalpur gang rape case, the United States had issued an advisory warning its citizens against visiting Odisha, bringing global embarrassment to the state. She said despite such incidents, the government failed to strengthen security measures. She alleged that the recent Chandragiri incident — reportedly the first such case involving a Tibetan child in India — has once again damaged Odisha’s image globally.

Chandragiri is an international tourist destination and home to a Tibetan settlement since 1964, with around 2,500 Tibetan refugees living across five camps in Gajapati district. The area also houses an international monastery established by the Dalai Lama, who has visited the place several times. Sahu held both the state and central tourism and home departments responsible for failing to ensure safety in the region.

She further questioned whether Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been informed of the incident and whether the Chief Minister had officially communicated the matter to the Centre, stating that the issue affects not only Odisha’s image but the country’s reputation as well.

Another PCC spokesperson, Bibhuti Bhusan Mahapatra, also criticised the government, stating that while the BJP had earlier accused the previous BJD government of lawlessness, incidents of gang rape and crimes against women have now reached record levels. He demanded that the Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio, take direct responsibility and publicly explain the government’s actions to address women’s safety.

Both leaders demanded immediate and concrete measures to prevent crimes against women and ensure accountability.