Odisha MP Moves Adjournment Notice In LS Over ‘Breakdown Of Law & Order In State’

Bhubaneswar: Congress leader and Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka on Monday gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over the issue of “complete breakdown in law-and-order situation in Odisha”.

“I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance,” the MP said.

“Mamita Meher, a woman from Balangir district, was brutally murdered in Mahaling in Kalahandi district. Earlier this year, Mahanga’s senior leader Kulamani Baral and kin Dibya Singh Baral were brutally murdered. Incidentally, the Odisha Home Minister (MoS) and Law Minister are allegedly involved in the above cases. Previously, a tribal woman in Malkangiri district was allegedly raped and murdered. Allegedly efforts are being made by the ones in power to hush up the matter. There are many such cases,” he said.

“I would request the Central government to take cognizance of all the cases and constitute SIT under the supervision of Chief Justice of Orissa High Court to get the cases investigated and facilitate speedy justice to victims, prevent such cases in the future and bring the law-and-order situation under control in Odisha,” he said.

Ulaka pointed out several grim crime statistics about Odisha. He said that as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2020 figures, Odisha has topped the states in cases of “assault or use of criminal force on women with intent to disrobe” for the seventh year in a row with 3,232 such cases, or 31.5 per cent of the total cases lodged in the country.

He further pointed out that with 615 cases, Odisha stands third in cases related to outraging the modesty of women. Overall, the crime rate against women in Odisha was 112.9 per cent, second only to Assam, he said.

Ulaka pointed out that the conviction rate in Odisha is only 9.2 per cent — among the top five poorest rates in the country.