Bhubaneswar, May 12: The opposition parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, have targeted the Odisha government over allegations of deteriorating law and order in the state. During a press conference held at the BJD headquarters, the main opposition party accused the government of a rising trend in violent incidents.
Citing violent occurrences in the last 24 hours, the party stated that law and order in Odisha has completely collapsed, highlighting the clear failure of the Home Department. Party spokesperson and media coordinator Dr. Lenin Mahanti asserted that the government has utterly failed to establish the rule of law in the state.
He alleged that due to the negligence and indifference of the ‘double-engine government,’ several serious incidents have occurred in Dhenkanal, Hinjili, Kanas, Balianta, and Balipatna over the past week. Mahanti noted that the government’s inaction has weakened the police system, with many police stations functioning like BJP offices.
BJD student wing president Ipsita Sahu claimed that five horrific incidents have taken place within 24 hours under the current government, stating that such events have never been witnessed in the history of independent India. She also mentioned that the state’s Director General of Police, Y.B. Khurania, has acknowledged that the general public feels unsafe.
Sahu accused the BJP government of complete failure in maintaining law and order. Meanwhile, Congress workers protested outside the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate headquarters against the rising violence and crime in the state. The Congress also referenced the murder of a Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel by a mob on May 7.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das alleged that Congress will continue its struggle against the increasing crimes in the state. He criticized the government and the Chief Minister for ignoring these serious incidents, with accusations against the police of protecting criminals.
The Congress also claimed that several criminals are linked to the BJP, RSS, and VHP, contributing to the deteriorating situation. The opposition further stated that the law and order situation has become so dire that Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari had to issue a warning to uphold ‘Raj Dharma.’