Balianta: The mob lynching incident at Balinta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar has triggered a political storm in Odisha amid war of words between leaders of opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Senior BJD leaders lashed out at the BJP government following the Balianta killing, alleging that a series of violent incidents in the state showed failure of law and order in the state. Their claim was countered by ruling BJP leaders, who maintained that violence and criminal incidents were rampant during the previous BJD rule.
Senior BJD leader MLA Arun Sahoo targeted the government following the Balianta incident, claiming that Odisha has now become “number one” in crime.
The former Minister cited incidents of murder, rape, and kidnapping, including recent events in Hinjili, Kanas, Dhenkanal, and now Balianta, calling the latest attack “extremely gruesome.”
Describing the situation as pathetic, Sahoo said every incident is being recorded on video, yet crimes continue unrestricted.
He wondered whether Odisha become like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, and said murders are happening even in police presence, and victims are being killed after informing the police.
Questioning the state government’s sensitivity and seriousness in addressing the law and order situation, the BJD leader said people in the state are now feeling increasingly unsafe due to alarming rise in criminal incidents. The government should resign if it is unable to protect people, he said.
Reacting sharply to the BJD leader’s criticism, BJP’s Agasti Behera claimed that the situation was worse during the previous BJD rule as no action was taken against perpetrators of heinous crimes.
In sharp contrast, the BJP government is taking exemplary action against those involved in serious crimes, he said.
Accusing BJD of trying to mislead people by making false claims, he alleged that those involved in heinous crimes were being allowed to go scot-free when BJD was in power.
