Odisha is moving towards lawlessness amid rising incidents of violence: BJD

By Kalinga Voice Last updated May 9, 2026

Peace-loving Odisha has turned into a disturbed state
Government has failed to prevent crimes against women
Government is providing political protection to criminals

Bhubaneswar, 09/05/2026:Incidents of violence are increasing day by day in the state. Reviewing the incidents of the last 10 days, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly criticized the BJP government, stating that the law and order situation in the state has surpassed even Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Addressing a press conference held today at ShankhaBhawan, the party’s senior general secretary Dr. LekhashreeSamantsinghar said that the incidents of murder and violence that have taken place in the state over the last 10 days clearly indicate that common people are feeling as if there is no rule of law in the state. The attempted murder of a Dalit woman after rape in Dhenkanal, the murder of a pregnant mother in front of her 3-year-old daughter in Hinjili, the attempted murder of a youth in broad daylight in Kanas, and recently the murder of GRP constable Soumya Swain in Balianta all indicate that law and order in the state has completely collapsed.

According to the allegations made by Soumya’s mother, her son was working as a trainer in the gym of a Police ADG. That ADG reportedly had gym businesses at several places across Bhubaneswar. Besides this, he also had a truck business. Was the Director General of Police unaware of these facts? If serving police officers remain engaged in business activities, then the collapse of law and order in the state is natural.

Dr. Samantsinghar further said that only yesterday, in the same Balianta area, a young man was beaten to death with stones over merely Rs. 20,000. Police have so far failed to arrest the main accused involved in all these crimes. This clearly shows that these criminals are operating under the political protection of the government. The state which had earned recognition across India as a peaceful state has, after the BJP came to power, turned into a disturbed state and has been condemned even at the international level. Countries like the United States are issuing advisories asking their citizens not to visit Odisha.

Jagatsinghpur district BJD Mahilapresident Mrs. Lora Mohapatra said that the government has completely failed to stop the rising violence and atrocities against women in the state. If the Chief Minister himself, who is in charge of the Home Department, is unable to handle the law and order situation, then he should immediately transfer the department to someone else. The Bharatiya Janata Party government should stop making political statements to hide its incompetence.