Bhubaneswar, March 20: Minor girls are no longer safe in Odisha. The state reported as many as 853 child rape cases in 2012, an increase of 215 since the previous year.

The latest is the rape of a Class VIII student at Mangipali village under Balimela police limits in Malkangiri.

Sources said the girl had gone with her mother to attend Nama Yagna, a local festival, when a group of goons forcibly took her to a deserted place and raped her. Later, local residents rescued and admitted her to a hospital in a critical situation.

Though the incident took place 10 days ago, it came to light only last night when the girl’s health deteriorated. Police have arrested five people in connection with the case.

The Odisha Assembly today expressed concern over rising crimes against minor girls as well as women and demanded that a mechanism be developed to check such offences.

Raising the issue in the House during the Zero Hour, leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh said: “The state administration has failed to give protection to women and minor girls. The chief minister must give a reply on this issue.”

Other members, including Congress leaders Ramchandra Kadam and Prafulla Majhi, also voiced their concerns.

Government deputy chief whip Sanjay Dasburma said: “The state government is committed to uphold the dignity of women and has already introduced reservation for them in various fields.”

BJD MLA Sipra Das also defended the government and said crime against women was a nationwide phenomenon and not just limited to Odisha.

“A massive awareness drive should be held to check the growing rate of crime against women,” she said.

A government officials said in order to expedite the hearing of women-related cases, 18 additional session judge courts would be opened across the state. “The investigation of cases will be complete within 60 days,” he said.