Bhubaneswar: The Opposition BJP and Congress have turned the heat on the State Government by intensifying their protests across the State seeking justice for the family of 5-year-old Nayagarh girl Pari, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in July this year.
Demanding the arrest of the culprits behind the abduction and brutal murder of the minor girl at the earliest, and, ouster of Minister Arun Sahoo for his alleged involvement in shielding the main accused in the case, the five-day-long state-wide ‘padyatra’ of the Odisha unit of BJP entered the second day on Monday.
The protest march started from the Lingaraj Temple in the Capital City on Sunday and culminated at Janla on the first day. The march will pass through Sarua, Pichukuli, Itamati and culminate at Jadupur, the native village of Pari in the days to come. On December 24, the concluding day of the procession, a public meeting will be organised at Jadupur.
“The government is trying to shield minister Sahoo by ordering the SIT probe. We reiterate our demand for a CBI enquiry and removal of Sahoo from the ministerial berth. If our demands are not met, we will intensify our stir,” said a BJP protestor.
Meanwhile, protesting the government’s ‘indifferent attitude’ towards the investigation of the case, the State Congress took out a torch march from Congress Bhavan to Master Canteen Square in the Capital City on Sunday evening.
“People of the State have lost their faith in the SIT probe. To press for the expedition of the investigation, party workers will hit the streets and gherao all the Superintendent of Police (SP) offices in the State on December 21,” stated Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
“During the tenure of Naveen Patnaik, not only Pari but also more than 5000 minor girls in the state have gone missing. We demand justice for their families too,” said Bahinipati.
Meanwhile, ruling BJD accused opposition BJP and Congress for politicising the issue.
“An SIT probe under the leadership of Arun Bothra has been initiated. We are sure that it will be fruitful and result oriented. Everybody knows that Bothra is a sincere officer. Both BJP and Congress are trying to politicise the issue and they will not be successful in their intention,” said BJD leader Pratap Deb.