Even as the police are busy joining the crime dots in the sensational lady teacher murder case, a political tempest is brewing up in the State over the kidnap-murder saga.
The Opposition has been accusing minister Dibya Shankar Mishra of propping up the main accused Gobinda Sahu. Both parties have hit the streets staging state-wide protests demanding the removal of Minister Mishra.
BJP's national Vice President Baijayant Panda has come down heavily on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for 'safeguarding' minister Dibya Shankar Mishra who has been accused of having links with the mastermind behind the sensational murder case of Mamita Meher.
"Read & weep. A woman murdered, girls allegedly exploited, a state in turmoil, but Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik refuses to drop this guy from his govt," Panda wrote in his Twitter page while reacting to the case.
Former Odisha BJP president Basant Panda also called upon CM Naveen to dismiss the minister. Accusing police of intentionally misleading the probe into the case, Panda said minister Dibya Shankar Mishra must be brought into the ambit of the probe.
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The effects of the tempest are discernible on the streets across the State today.
BJP Women Wing Gate-Crashes To Police Station
A group of the BJP Mahila Morcha activists barged into the Capital Police Station in Bhubaneswar and raised slogans against minister Mishra for his 'links' with the key accused Gobinda Sahu.
Demanding arrest, the BJP women activists llodged an FIR against him.
“It is a shame for the women across the State and the country. We have filed an FIR at Capital Police Station demanding arrest of Minister Mishra. If no actions forthcoming, then BJP Mahila Morcha will intensify the ongoing stir,” warned Urmila Mohapatra, BJP spokesperson.
BJP’s State general secretary, Lekhashree Samantsinghar charged, “He (Mishra) is not only involved in the Mamita Meher murder case but is also the main accused, chief conspirator and kingpin. Gobinda Sahu, Radhe and others are acting on his directions. Police are trying to protect the main culprit. Therefore, we have lodged a complaint demanding his arrest.”
BJP Youth Wing Hauls BJD Over Rising Crime
Addressing a press conference, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today lambasted the BJD-led Government for the rise in cases of crime against girls and women in the State.
The Kalahandi incident not only shocked Odisha but also the entire country. Mamita Meher is not a political issue, it is purely social, said Arpita Badajena and then lobbed some questions at the BJD.
•Why the Minister was halting at the college hostel during his visit to the district?
•Why he was assisting fundraising for the college?
" BJD should stop accusing BJP of politicising the matter. Instead of indulging in blame-game, they should take action and remove the minister. The case should be handed over to the CBI,” demanded Arpita Aparajita Badajena , National Vice President of BJYM.
BJP Demands Compensation For Mamita’s Kin
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly and senior BJP leader, Pradipta Kumar Naik, has demanded a compensation of Rs 2 crore for the family members of Mamita Meher and a government job for a family member from the State Government.
Congress Team Visits Mamita’s Family
A five-member team of Odisha Mahila Congress led by its President Bandita Parida visited Mamita’s house at Jharani village under Tureikela block of Bolangir district and met the family members. They also demanded stringent action against Gobinda Sahu and resignation of Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra.
“Gobinda Sahu should be hanged till death which will be an example for others committing heinous crime against women. Gobinda was having the support of Mishra or else he would not have mustered the courage to murder a girl,” alleged Parida.
Crime Scene Re-Play
A team of Bolangir police on the wee hours of Friday took the accused Gobinda Sahu to the murder spot- the Mahaling stadium- and recreated the crime scene.
Police reportedly took Sahu to the stadium where Gobinda gave the demonstration on how he killed and buried the lady teacher of Sunshine Model School. The entire episode went on for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Kegaon Police In Dock
Asha Chandi, the wife of Radhe who is the second accused in Mamita murder case, told media persons that she had handed over a bag stuffed with three pairs of ladies clothes, a mobile phone, a charger and some medicines to some officials of the Kegaon Police. The bag was brought to the house by Radhe over some ten days back, she added.