- Claims Police Are Being Manipulated by BJP Leaders, Crime Rates Soar
- Under the Government’s Watch, the Law-and-Order Situation in the State is Chaotic
- During the BJP government’s tenure, incidents of crimes like rape increased by 8% annually.
Bhubaneswar, 31/03/2025:The Biju Janata Dal has expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha, accusing the ruling BJP government of allowing criminals to operate with impunity under the protection of BJP leaders. During a press conference held today at ShankhaBhavan, Dr. Lenin Mohanty, the party’s spokesperson and media coordinator, raised alarming issues surrounding the increasing rate of crime in the state, as well as the failure of law enforcement.
According to Dr. Mohanty, recent incidents across the state, especially in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Kabisuryanagar, Korei, and Purusottampur, have exposed the serious lapses in the state’s law enforcement system. He alleged that BJP leaders are manipulating the police, allowing criminals to go unpunished, thereby emboldening them to openly defy the law. Dr. Mohanty specifically highlighted that police are now failing to take action against criminals, who, under political protection, continue to spread fear across various districts.
Dr. Mohanty pointed to a shocking statistic revealed by the state government’s recent White Paper, which noted an 8% increase in rape cases in Odisha compared to the previous year. The state now has a higher rise in rape incidents than the national average, signalling a grave concern about the safety and security of women in the state. He further criticized the government for the alarming rise in other crimes, including communal violence, murder, robbery, and highway robberies. He highlighted the recent Holi festival as an example, where eight murders were reported, yet no action was taken by the police against the perpetrators.
In addition to this, Dr. Mohanty described a chilling incident in Bhartapur, Bhubaneswar, where youths attacked the police in an attempt to terrorize the local population, showcasing the growing lawlessness in the state. He also referred to a case in Korei, where a police officer who went to arrest a thief in the Korei area being beaten up by a woman has raised questionsabout the effectiveness of the police.
The spokesperson also cited the brutal murder of a BJP leader in Kavishuryanagar, where the individual was shot dead, as well as another similar killing in Purusottampur, both of which illustrate the collapse of law enforcement in Odisha. Dr. Mohanty questioned the Chief Minister’s responsibility, given that he is also in charge of the Home Department. He accused the Chief Minister of remaining silent on the issue, implying that the current leadership has failed to address the growing lawlessness. He even suggested that if the responsibilities of the Home Department were too overwhelming for the Chief Minister, he should resign and delegate the duties to someone more capable.
The BJD has called for immediate attention to the state’s deteriorating law and order situation and is demanding accountability from the government. Dr. Mohanty concluded, “If even the police are not safe, how can common citizens expect to feel secure?” The party has vowed to continue raising these critical issues until the state government takes concrete steps to restore order and safety to Odisha.
