Odisha CM Lauds Cops Campaign Against Child Sex Abuse

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday praised Odisha police for their initiatives against child sexual abuse.

“I hope such noble initiatives by Odisha police will continue in future in the next phase of Paree Campaign to help address various social evils and heinous crimes against women and girls,” the CM said.

“Police have a responsibility to create a secure environment for citizens. I expect the state police to take prompt, effective and exemplary action against anti-socials and criminals,” he added.

The CM said this after inaugurating the “National Workshop on Wide Consultations by Stakeholders on Safety of Women and Children” organized by the National Police Foundation and Institute and Unicef in the state capital.

He also said that the 15-day social awareness campaign against child sexual abuse — “Paree Paain Kathatiye” — was a phenomenal success in raising awareness on the roles and responsibilities of parents, relatives and community members and also sensitizing police personnel on the prevention of sexual offences against children, especially girls.

Thanking Unicef for its continued support for the cause of women and children in Odisha, the CM hoped that the deliberations will yield fruitful ideas and an effective action plan will be evolved to ensure the safety of women and children.

He also released a coffee table book on “Paree Paain Kathatiye, A word for the little Angel” as well as a documentary film on Paree on the occasion.

Among others, Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra, Development Commissioner Asit  Kumar Tripathy, DGP RP Sharma, principal secretary of Women & Child Development Anu Garg, Ex-DGP of Uttar Pradesh and chairman of the Police Foundation Prakash Singh, and Monica Neilson from Unicef were present at the inaugural ceremony.