In Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district, an 18-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped while returning home from a birthday party on Monday night. The survivor was with a female friend when the attack occurred around 8:30 pm.

According to police reports, the woman and her friend were returning from a birthday party in a neighboring village when they were ambushed. The victim's father stated in the police complaint that she was taken to a secluded farmland and gang-raped, while her friend managed to escape. After the incident, the survivor returned home bleeding profusely and was immediately taken to the district headquarters hospital, where she is currently in critical condition.

Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits. Jagatsinghpur's BJP MLA Amarendra Das has spoken with the Superintendent of Police (SP) and assured that stringent action will be taken against those responsible. Pravas Sahoo, the officer-in-charge of Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station, visited the crime scene and recovered a mobile phone. Police are currently questioning the survivor's friend and her mother as part of the investigation.

The incident has sparked outrage and protests, with opposition parties alleging the BJP government, which has been in power for a year, is failing to maintain law and order in the state. BJD leader Priyabrat Mohapatra announced they would surround the SP office until all culprits are arrested.

This incident is the latest in a series of crimes against women reported in Odisha.