The Opposition BJP attacked the less-than-a-month-old Hemant Soren-led state government over the law and order situation on Friday, a day after the sexual assault on six underage girls in Khunti district hit the headlines.

A BJP team comprising state general secretary and headquarters in-charge of the party Deepak Prakash, secretary Subodh Singh, state women’s wing president Arti Singh and Khunti BJP district president Kashinath Mahato visited the village of the girls as well as Hatudami, where the incident of sexual assault occurred.

Eight girls, aged between 14 and 16, were on their way back from a Makar Sankranti fair on Wednesday evening when a group of men accosted them at Hatudami.

Two girls managed to escape but the men caught hold of six girls.

The six girls were raped, villagers have alleged. Police, however, have said it was a case of sexual harassment.

Four men have been arrested.

“Sexual assault of underage girls is not an isolated case,” Prakash said.

“We are regularly getting information of murders from the capital and adjacent areas, what to talk about remote villages. When I visited the village of the victims today (Friday) I did not notice a single policeman to give a sense of security to the villagers.

“It is a matter of concern that women in the state are not safe though security of women was a big promise by the UPA before the election,” Prakash said.

He said he would submit his report to Jharkhand BJP president Laxman Giluwa.

The BJP was in the village of the victims from 12noon to 2pm, and spoke to the family members of the girls.

The party members promised all possible help to ensure justice for the girls, a locality resident said.

“Medical examination of all the victims was done till the afternoon,” Khunti superintendent of police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar said on Friday afternoon.

“After that the medical examination of accused started. Once it gets completed, we will produce the victims before the magistrate for their statements under Section 164 of CrPC.

“Apart from Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, the FIR has been registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to women with the intention of disrobing), 354A (sexual harassment), 366 (kidnapping), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC,” the SP added.