Bhubaneswar, 23/09/2026:Hon’ble President of the BijuJanata Dal, Shri Naveen Patnaik, has approved a BJD team to visit Kapilash in Dhenkanal district in connection with the reported incident involving the alleged harassment and assault of a young tourist couple on their way to the Kapilash hill shrine.
The BJD team will visit Kapilash, meet the Superintendent of Police, Dhenkanal, submit a memorandum, and ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The team will also assess concerns relating to the safety and security of tourists, women and visitors at Kapilash and other important tourist and religious destinations.
The incident has also drawn attention as it comes shortly after a reported case in Jamui, Bihar, where two Class 10 students were allegedly stopped and harassed by a group of youths on September 19 while returning from the MarwaPahad area.
The BijuJanata Dal believes that tourist destinations and religious places must provide a safe and secure environment for visitors. Incidents involving the alleged harassment or assault of tourists require prompt investigation, accountability in accordance with law, and appropriate measures to prevent their recurrence.
The team will ascertain the facts of the Kapilash incident and submit a detailed report to the Hon’ble President, BijuJanata Dal, after completion of the visit.
The team will be led by Smt. SnehanginiChhuria and comprises:
- Smt. ManoramaMohanty, MLA
- Smt. SujataSahu, MLA
- Smt. Sumitra Jena
- Dr. Geeta Bastia
- Smt. MinatiBehera
- Smt. Tilotama Choudhury
- Shri NrusinghaSahoo
- Shri AbinashSamal
- Shri Mahesh Sahoo
- Shri SudhirSamal
The BijuJanata Dal reiterated that the safety, dignity and security of tourists and visitors must be accorded the highest priority at Kapilash and at all important tourist and religious destinations of Odisha. The party also emphasised the need for effective policing, adequate security arrangements and prompt response mechanisms to ensure that visitors, particularly women and young people, can travel to tourist and religious destinations without fear.
