Odisha Under Fire: Mismanagement Allegations in Gopalpur Gangrape and Cholera Outbreak

Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has launched a scathing critique of the state government's management of the Gopalpur gangrape case and a recent cholera outbreak. In an interview with ANI, Das alleged that these issues underscore a grave administrative failure, with sexual crimes against women reaching pandemic levels in the state due to poor governance and a lack of serious measures to address women's safety.

Das accused the Odisha government of inaction and insensitivity, particularly in the aftermath of the Gopalpur gangrape incident. He argued that the increase in such crimes highlights how perilous the state has become for women and girls. Turning to the cholera outbreak, Das reported that the disease has spread across 11 districts, affecting over 2,000 individuals and causing 17 fatalities. He attributed the outbreak to water pollution and inadequate sanitation.

In response, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha, Aswathy S, offered a differing perspective. She emphasized that as of now, cholera has been confirmed only in Jaipur district. Aswathy also noted that a medical team audits each reported cholera or diarrhea death, stating, "The outbreak hasn't spread to Puri, and we see only mild cases." Remarkably, hospital admissions have stabilized, reinforcing the containment efforts underway.

(With inputs from agencies.)