"Deplorable and heart-wrenching": BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb slams Odisha govt over gangrape incident in Puri

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 16 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal MLA Pratap Keshari Deb slammed the Odisha Government over the Baliharichandi alleged rape incident, stating that the atrocities against women in the state have crossed all limits and the condition has become highly deplorable and heart-wrenching in the past six months.
Deb further criticised Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, stating that criminals in the state are not afraid of committing crimes.
"It is highly deplorable and heart-wrenching that in the past six months, atrocities against women in the state have crossed all limits...The question here is of morality. Now, this particular incident, which happened in Puri, happened in broad daylight...The people who are committing crimes are not afraid of the police or of the consequences because the consequences are so callous...Has the CM ever questioned himself, why is the police not being taken seriously by the people of the state?," Pratap Keshari Deb told ANI.
Earlier today, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik slammed the BJP government in the state over the alleged gang rape near Maa Baliharachandi temple in Puri District, saying that it is heart-rending to witness "horrifying patterns of violence against women reported across Odisha".
Patnaik, a former Chief Minister, said while the BJP leaders engage in "theatrical display of concern, the predators prowl on broad daylight with impunity".
He demanded strict action against the guilty.
"Deeply shocked and anguished to know a young girl has been gang raped near Maa Baliharachandi temple in Puri District, just 50km away from the state capital. It is heart-rending to witness such horrifying patterns of violence against women reported across #Odisha. While the BJP leaders engage in theatrical display of concern, the predators prowl on broad daylight with impunity," Patnaik said in a post on X.
He said the victims and family members of Gopalpur, Baleswar, Balanga and many other victims who died in desperation are still waiting for justice.
"Every time we heard same rehearsed statements: 'people's government' is 'taking strict action', 'ensuring women's safety' and 'sparing no one'. The BJP administration of Odisha has failed miserably to create confidence in the system where our daughters feel safe, valued and heard--leave aside empowerment," Patnaik said.
"If such a crime happens near a very popular tourist place, often thronged by tourists from across the world, it will tarnish the image of #Odisha within the country and internationally. The sooner the BJP Govt takes the strongest action, women of Odisha will feel safe again," he added.
A young woman was allegedly gang-raped at Baliharchandi Peeth in Puri. Police officials said two people have been arrested in the case.
A young man and a young woman had visited Baliharchandi, a tourist destination, when four youths from the local Chandiput village took their photos and blackmailed them. The young woman was later allegedly assaulted by them.
Earlier on Tuesday, District Collector Divya Jyoti Parida said that an inquiry was underway and legal steps would follow.
"An inquiry is going on. The police will take the required legal steps after the inquiry," Parida told ANI. (ANI)