Odisha Assembly Walkout Over Rising Crimes Against Women and Children

BJD MLAs walked out of the Odisha Assembly on September 5, citing increasing incidents of rape and crimes against women and children. They criticized the government's inaction, while BJP and Congress countered with their perspectives on law enforcement and justice.

In a significant political move, BJD legislators staged a walkout from the Odisha Assembly on September 5, alleging a sharp increase in rape cases and atrocities against women and minor children in the state. BJD MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo highlighted that in the 45 days since the new government took office, there has been a rise in such heinous crimes, which he claims are going unaddressed by the administration. He criticized the government's lack of focus on the protection of children and expressed disappointment over the absence of the home minister, who is also the chief minister, during the proceedings.

Singh Deo posed a crucial question regarding the concrete steps the government plans to take to prevent future incidents post-elections, asserting that this remains unanswered. He emphasized that their walkout was a protest against the government's lack of priority and focus on preventing such crimes, particularly those against women and minors.

Countering the allegations, BJP MP Tankadhar Tripathy argued that the police, under the current government, have been given complete freedom to take strict action against the accused, unlike the previous regime. He pointed out that in recent cases, the accused were apprehended promptly, highlighting the efficiency of the present law enforcement. Meanwhile, Congress MLA C S Raazen Ekka voiced concerns over the rising crime rate within the first 100 days of the new government, calling for a CBI inquiry and fast-tracking of cases to deliver justice swiftly.

(With inputs from agencies.)