Hemant Soren is also facing flak after a 16-year-old was set on fire (File)
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, battling a political crisis, has landed in a controversy over his comment on Sunday on the alleged rape and murder of a tribal girl. "Incidents happen everywhere," he said in response to questions.
A 14-year-old pregnant girl was found hanging from a tree in a village in Jharkhand's Dumka on Friday. Police said the girl was raped and murdered and that the accused has been arrested.
On being asked about the case, Hemant Soren said, "Incidents keep happening. Where do they not occur?"
Mr Soren has already faced opposition criticism after a 16-year-old was set on fire in the same district, Dumka, on August 23 by her alleged stalker for reportedly rejecting him. The girl died in hospital a few days later. Two people have been arrested in the case. That same day, a 15-year-old tribal girl was raped allegedly by a 26-year-old man who barged into her house in Ranchi.
BJP leader and Jharkhand leader of opposition Babulal Marandi said the comment "is not surprising", coming from Mr Soren.
The BJP claims that "thousands" of crimes against women have taken place in the state after Mr Soren became the Chief Minister.
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief Priyank Kanoongo on Sunday said the cases were "alarming" and his team would visit the state to take stock of the probe status.