BJD MP Sulata Deo criticises BJP-led government for worsening public order

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India]September 2 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo on Monday criticised the BJP-led government in the state and alleged that law and order in Odisha is deteriorating.

She further stated that a team of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members had met with the Director General of Police (DGP) on the issue.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Sulata Deo said, “Ever since the BJP came to power, law and order in the state has deteriorated. We met the DGP today and submitted a memorandum with our concerns.” Citing the recent incidents in the state, Sulata Deo noted, “There have been several incidents recently which indicate law and order problems in the state. For example, the recent violence and humiliation of a government official in Puri by the governor's son, communal violence at various places and the liquor tragedy in Ganjam district. All these incidents have taken place since the BJP came to power.” Earlier on the same day, BJD leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar also criticised the BJP in the state for its failure in curbing crimes against women.

Speaking to ANI, Samantsinghar said, “Ever since the BJP government was formed in Odisha and it is called the 'dual engine government', everyone expects good governance. But crimes against women are on the rise in the state.” The BJD leader mentioned other cases of alleged sexual harassment in Khordha and Bhubaneswar and also highlighted the case of alleged sexual harassment and murder of a minor girl in Balasore.

“Unfortunately, on August 27, a 10-year-old tribal girl from Balasore in the district was brutally raped and killed,” she said.

The BJD chairman further claimed that the authorities did not take any action even after the family reported the incident to the police.

“When this incident occurred, the family reported it to the police, but no action was taken. Only after four days of inaction did the police seize the victim's body,” the BJD chairman said.

Samantsinghar also mentioned that the Prime Minister had planned a visit to Remunda, but it was cancelled after the incident.

“The chief minister was supposed to visit Remunda but after this incident he did not go. Other members of the state cabinet also did not visit the area; neither the child development minister nor any other minister was there. So all this talk about the government promoting the development of women and adivasis is false – in reality they are not doing anything. The government is trying to cover up the case,” she alleged.

Earlier, former Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik had also addressed the law and order situation in the state in his speech to the state assembly, focusing in particular on the alleged sexual assault and murder of a minor.

“During my tenure, no one was above the law. No one could escape justice. The current Chief Minister is in charge of the Home Ministry and I hope that all these incidents, including the recent rape and murder of a minor, will be reported to him,” the BJD chief said in a statement in a post on X. (ANI)