Bhubaneswar: The death of the six-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped last week and found in unconscious at Salipur in Cuttack, has become the latest ammunition for the Opposition to fire with at the state government.

Though the BJD defended the government and asked the Opposition not to politicise the issue, leaders of both the Congress and the BJP visited the girl's village to express solidarity with the bereaved family members.

Leaders of the BJD also turned up at the village,chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep anguish in the Assembly.

Speaking at the Assembly, Naveen said: "I feel deep anguish of the members of this House and of people of Odisha for the terrible rape of a child that took place in Salipur on the 21st of this month. The accused was arrested within 24 hours of this terrible incident. The child was given the best medical attention by team of doctors at the SCB Medical College in Cuttack. Unfortunately she died last night."

Naveen said: "I will see that most stringent action is taken against the accused. A sum of five lakh of rupees has been granted to the child's kin. And I would like to send my deepest condolences to the bereaved family."

Soon after the announcement, officials visited the girl's village and handed over Rs 5 lakh to her family members.

Naveen also admitted that the number of minor rapes case has gone up over the years. While 1,050 incidents of rape of minors were reported in 2014, 1,212 were reported in 2015. Similarly, 1,204 cases were reported in 2016 and 1,283 in 2017. He, however, said that almost all the cases have been cracked. Seizing the opportunity, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said: "The chief minister's statement may bring some relief for some time, but he is not thinking about how to check cases of rising cases of rape."

Congress MLA Prafulla Majhi said: "There is a sudden spurt in such cases with deterioration in law and order situation, particularly rape of minor girls. I wonder if the chief minister's announcement of Rs 5 lakh compensation is aimed at deriving political benefits?

The BJP accused the government of failing to check crime and burnt the effigy of the chief minister.

Urging not to politicise the issue, BJD MLA Raseswari Panigrahi said: "The chief minister has expressed sorrow and assured stringent action against the accused. Those who are criticising Rs 5 lakh compensation as a measly amount for the loss of a precious life, are doing it for the sake of opposition."