Odisha Assembly Proceedings Stalled Over Pari Murder Issue For Third Day

OB Bureau

November 28, 2020 1:44 pm

Bhubaneswar: The Opposition stalled the proceedings of the Assembly for third day over murder of Pari murder case even as the government agreed to probe by a special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha announced on the floor of the House that a court-monitored Special SIT will be formed to probe the alleged abduction and murder of a five-year-old Pari of Jadupur village in Nayagarh district. A notification in this regard will issued by the Home Department soon, he added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on Friday ordered for the SIT probe. But, the Opposition leaders had a doubt on it, Arukh said.

The Minister made the statement after Leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Narasingha Mishra raised the issue and demanded a clarification from the government on SIT probe.

Earlier, legislators of both BJP and Congress disrupted the proceedings by raising the issue. BJP legislators led by Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik staged a protest holding banners.

Naik alleged that the chief minister is protecting Minister Arun Sahoo who has been accused by the minor victim’s parents of shielding Babuli Nayak, the main accused in the case. The BJP leader demanded Sahoo’s suspension from the Cabinet and a CBI probe into the case.

As Minister Arukha’s announcement failed to pacify the Opposition which continued to create noisy scenes in the House, Speaker SN Patro adjourned the proceedings till 3 pm.

Meanwhile, expressing grave concern over the incident, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said his party will drag the Pari murder case to Delhi.

In a Twitter post, Patra said the complicity of a goon Babuli Nayak, who is protected by minister Arun Kumar Sahu, has figured in the murder of the minor girl. “Ministers like Arun should be lodged in the jail,” he said, adding that the fight for the minor girl will continue until the guilty are punished.