Bhubaneswar: The proceedings of Odisha Assembly were disrupted following pandemonium by opposition members seeking a reply from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on deteriorating law and order situation and rise in incidents of crime against women and rape of minor girls in the State.
The opposition members tried to corner Odisha government over the alleged rape and murder attempt on a six-year-old girl at Salepur who is now battling for life at pediatric ICU of SCB medical and rape of a 4-year-old girl in Kendrapara.
The Assembly witnessed several adjournments today as opposition parties demanded a reply from Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik over the issue.
Both Congress and BJP legislators alleged that Odisha government has failed to act even as crime against women and rape of minor girls has assumed alarming proportions in the State.
“Small kids in the age group of 3 to 4 years are being raped and it clearly implies that there is no fear of law among the culprits and CM should break his silence on such issues,” said leader of opposition, Narasingha Mishra.
Newly appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik too slammed the ruling-BJD on rape of minor girls in Odisha.
“Four cases of rapes against minor girls have been reported in 24 hrs in Odisha. There has been a 278% increase in crimes against women under BJD regime. If a Govt fails to protect its citizens from criminals, it has no right to continue in power,“ wrote Niranjan Patnaik on Twitter.
BJP legislator Radharani Panda said, “The rapists of minor children should be arrested and awarded death penalty.”
"There has been spurt in incidents of rape of minor girls in Odisha and the State government and police have failed to discharge their duties properly. We are demanding a reply from the Chief Minister in the House," said BJP MLA, Rabi Nayak.
As further embarrassment to Odisha government, senior ruling-BJD leader Damodar Rout expressed doubts over the working and efficiency of Odisha police on such issues.
“If administrative officials in Police department do not work properly, there is no point blaming or condemning ruling party leaders,” said Rout.
Government chief whip, Amar Satpathy on the other hand stated that “Police department is taking appropriate action against the culprits responsible for such heinous crimes.”
Meanwhile, SCB medical superintendent Shayama Kanungo today said that a 13-member doctors’ team is now engaged in the treatment of the Salepur survivor whose condition is still critical despite some improvements.