Cuttack: Director general of police R.P. Sharma on Wednesday said that an analysis of the recent cases of sexual assaults on minors in the state had revealed that the offenders in most cases were either known to the girl or are from t he same community.

"In fact, the victims knew the perpetrators of the heinous crime in all the cases," the director general of police (DGP) said and added that "in 92.5 per cent of the cases the offenders were either relatives / acquaintances of the victims and belonged to the same local community".

He said: "This makes it very challenging for police and extremely difficult to prevent such occurrences."

Expressing concern over the spurt in cases of sexual assault on minor girls in the state, the DGP told reporters here: "The analysis by the CID's crime branch was based on a study of 40 cases of sexual assault on minor girls reported in the past few weeks."

"Keeping in view the recent rising trend of sexual assaults on minor girls a two-pronged strategy - sense of urgency and holistic approach - has been formulated to further sharpen police action and to address the daunting challenge of such cases," Sharma said.

The comprehensive strategy to combat the pervading menace was evolved after the DGP held a discussion on Monday on the recent cases of sexual assault crimes with all district police chiefs and other senior police officers.

The DGP said instructions given to the senior police officers are expected "to bring the sense of urgency with holistic approach with a deadline for the investigating officers and supervising officers at all levels".

"The police officers or investigating officers are expected to bring in urgency in registration of cases on receipt of complaint written or oral irrespective of jurisdiction, medical examination and recording of statement of victim within 24 hours, promptitude in investigation and arrest of accused persons and expeditious trial of the cases in the court by appointment of special public prosecutors," the DGP said.

The DGP added: "Instructions have been issued for filing of charge sheets within four weeks of reporting of the case. Our commitment and endeavour is to make Odisha one of the leading and model states in combating the menace that has acquired a pan-India trend."