Opposition concerned over deteriorating law and order situation; Govt says everything normal

Bhubaneswar, Feb 27: While the opposition BJP and Congress today expressed their concern over deteriorating law and order situation in the state, Odisha government claimed that the situation was peaceful and under control. Moving an adjournment motion in the state Assembly, Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated in the state and the people are not feeling safe and secure. Citing the instance of Pihu, a two-and-a-half-year-old-girl, missing case and burning of a college girl in Cuttack by tying her hands and legs  , Majhi said that the life of people of the state is not safe under the present regime. He also quoted the case of the double murder in Mahanga. Similarly, there was an attempt to implead Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra and poison him to death inside the jail. The assailants of SWami Laxmanananda Saraswati have not been arrested yet while his successor Swami Jibanananda has received threat call, he said. Stating that the recommendations for police reform have not yet been implemented, the BJP leader suggested to separate law and order from investigation. Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra alleged that jungle raj is prevailing in the state. The atrocities on minor girls are on the rise while drugs mafia are ruling the roost in the state. The Chief Minister is shielding Agriculture MInister Arun Kumar Sahoo and Law Minister Pratap Jena who were accused to have been involved in Pari and Mahanga double murder case, he alleged. Replying to the debate on the adjournment motion, Minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra said that the law and order situation has been normal till the end of 2020. The communal harmony is intact and the bypolls in Tirtol and Balasore had been held peacefully. Similarly, the fight against Covid passed off peacefully, he said. Claiming that the law and order situation has been normal, the Minister said that the Maoist menace and the overall crime scenario have been under control. The Commissionerate Police has made a breakthrough in a case after 22 years. Expressing dissatisfaction with the Minister's contention, the BJP lawmakers stormed the well of the House holding placards and shouting slogans.