Published By : Chinmaya Dehury
| April 22, 2025 3:40 PM
Bhubaneswar, April 22: Odisha Law Minister and BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday fired back at opposition claims regarding rising crime rates in the state, asserting that the Odisha government remains firmly committed to a zero-tolerance approach to crime.
Addressing the criticism, Harichandan remarked, "When the opposition was in power, they had no answers to the issues at hand. We, however, act swiftly whenever a crime occurs. If there is an offense, immediate action is taken, and the accused are arrested. Our aim is to make Odisha a crime-free state."
He dismissed the opposition's claims as unfounded, highlighting that just ten months ago, they were in power and failed to address serious crimes.
"Under their rule, they did not take proper action. In some cases, they even tried to protect the culprits," Harichandan said.
"Under the BJP government, whenever a crime is reported, we ensure the accused is arrested within 24 to 72 hours. The police have the freedom to carry out their duties without interference, and we are pushing for faster trials to ensure criminals are quickly brought to justice. This will act as a deterrent for those with criminal intentions," he said.
The Minister emphasized the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, assuring that the law would treat all individuals equally—whether they are wealthy, powerful, or common citizens.
