Deprived of justice, 30 Odisha families hold unique protest in Puri

As many as 30 families from various parts of Odisha assembled at the Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri on Monday and held a peaceful protest alleging deprivation of justice and lackadaisical attitude of the State government.

The protest coincided with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD)'s silver jubilee celebrations in the pilgrim city today. 

The members of ‘Nyay Pain Ladhei Paribar (Families fighting for justice) called for “Narahatya Sarkar Hatao, Odisha Banchao (Remove Man Slaughtering Govt, Save Odisha).”

Families of missing minor girl Pihu, Nayagarh's Pari, Manab Premi Aditya Dash and ACF Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and many such victim families were part of the protest and alleged deprivation of justice.

Speaking to OTV, Subrat Kumar Das, State President, Nyay Pain Ladhei Paribar said, “The main aim of our gathering here is to demand justice for all the victims. At least 30 victim families, who could not get justice due to the lackadaisical attitude of the state government, have assembled here today. We will first march towards the grand statue of Biju Patnaik and offer floral tributes. Later, we will march towards Srimandir Bada Danda and offer diyas.”

“We will also submit a memorandum to Puri District Collector addressing Union Home Minister Amit Shah for CBI inquiry,” he added. 

“No one paid heed to my complaints. I run from pillar to post for justice, but my pleas only fell on deaf ears. I have approached every official and even Naveen Niwas to find out my missing daughter, but till today, they have not found my daughter,” said Pihu’s mother.

Alleging inaction in crimes like murders, kidnappings, human organ smuggling, all the families are waiting for justice for years together now. They alleged that the government has miserably failed to give justice and solve the murder mysteries as most of the ministers and leaders of the ruling BJD are involved in criminal cases.

As part of the protest, they planned to take a peaceful march to Srimandir Bada Danda and offer prayers to Lord Jagannath and light diyas. However, they were all detained in the midway by police during their peaceful march.

It was alleged that cops forcibly detained them and took them away even as they held the protest in a peaceful manner.

On the other hand, the Congress party held a protest in Puri over inadequate healthcare facilities and doctor vacancies in Puri District Headquarters Hospital. Members of the Congress Students’ Wing raised their voices over unemployment, and drugs in Puri and staged the protest at the Medical Square.