Bhubaneswar, July 29 -- The Odisha units of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha and Mahila Morcha on Tuesday staged a joint protest against Biju Janata Dal (BJD) corporator Amresh Jena and Congress NSUI Odisha president Udit Pradhan over their alleged involvement in separate rape cases.

The protest comes amid rising concerns over crimes against women in the state, with both leaders being arrested in connection with serious charges in recent days.

On July 27, BJD corporator Amresh Jena was arrested in Balasore district in connection with a rape case after allegedly evading arrest for several days. The BJD subsequently suspended Jena from the party.

According to Laxmisagar police, five individuals were earlier arrested and booke...