Bhubaneswar: The series of crimes against minor girls and the Odisha government's failure to address the issue echoed in the Assembly on the day when a six-year-old rape victim was struggling for her life at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Monday.

As the House witnessed pandemonium over the issue, Assembly Speaker Pradeep Amat directed the state government to respond to the concern of the Opposition on Tuesday over series of crimes against minor girls.

The first session of the day witnessed a series of adjournments over the issue. Opposition Congress and BJP members created ruckus over the issue demanding a statement from chief minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.

The House witnessed uproar even as a minor rape victim from Salipur continued to struggle for her life in the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. SCB superintendent Shyama Kanungo said: "There is a slight improvement in the girl's condition today from that of yesterday. But, she is still critical. We do have a 13- member team to look after the condition of the patient. All arrangements, including ventilator, are being arranged for the patient." The six-year-old girl was admitted to the SCB Medical College on Sunday with a number of injuries.

BJD MLA Damodar Rout also made an oblique remark on the performance of the government. " If the police do not perform its duty properly and express its inefficiency and if the employees are turning inefficient, where is the need to blame those political leaders who are in power?" he said.

Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra said: "Everyday, these incidents are being reported. The state government is insensitive to these issues. Even three-year-old girls are being raped. The accused have thought law would not catch them. The chief minister should come out with a statement on the issue."

Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said: "The chief minister has turned into a mute spectator even though these incidents are occurring on a regular basis."

BJP MLA Rabi Narayan Naik said: "By introducing death penalty to the minor girls' rapists, the Modi government has been able to send a strong message that it will not tolerate such heinous crimes."

Terming this incident as unfortunate, chief whip Amar Prasad Satapthy said: "The state police is taking action on the issue and arrested those accused of the heinous crime. The matter will be taken up on April 26 as the day has been slated for the discussion on home department. The state government is concerned over the issue and the chief minister had earlier given a statement on crime against women and law and order situation in the state."