Bhubaneswar: The state government on Tuesday assured the Assembly that safety and security of women and vulnerable groups were among its top priorities.

The assertion was made as reports of sexual assault on minor girls continue to pour in from across the state.

Police on Tuesday arrested headmaster of a government school at Kakatpur in Puri district for allegedly molesting three minor girls.

In another incident, a teenager raped a six-year-old girl in Cuttack last week. The girl, who hails from Salepur in Cuttack district, remains critical at SCB Medical College and Hospital, where she is admitted.

Making a statement on behalf of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik, parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said: "The state government is putting priority on taking exemplary action against the accused involved in crimes against women. The accused in three rape cases in Cuttack, two in Kendrapara and one in Soro have been arrested."

He said: "Cases of rapes on minor are being considered as red flag cases. Special and special lawyers will be appointed. The police have been directed to take immediate action."

Expressing dissatisfaction, BJP MLA Radharani Panda said: "The state government lacks sincerity in its answer. They have done treachery to the girls of the state." Congress MLA Prafulla Majhi said: "The government should bring an ordinance to check crimes against minorities."