Bhubaneswar: The state government has always given top priority to the safety and security of women and vulnerable groups, Parliamentary Affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed the State Assembly on behalf of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.
He said instructions have been given to the police to take immediate action on any case relating to atrocity on women, girl children and the vulnerable groups.
“Rape cases are being considered as Red Flag cases and special lawyers will be appointed. Apart from this, police have been directed to take immediate action on these complaints,” the minister stated.
Stating that the accused in three rape cases in Cuttack, two in Kendrapara and one in Soro in Balasore district have been arrested, Arukh said such cases would be treated as red flag cases and the government will engage special public prosecutors.
The minister also informed that the conviction rate in rape cases has increased to 16.90% in 2017.
On the murder of a woman by her husband on the Sambalpur District Family Court premises, the minister stated that police have been asked to make elaborate arrangements for security inside courts.
The statement of the minister on behalf of the chief minister came after the house session resumed at 3 pm following the ruling of the Speaker Pradip Amat in response to the motion brought by the Congress.
The issue had cropped up during zero hour at 12 pm when the Congress members created uproar after the Speaker did not allow them the ruling to have a discussion on the Sambalpur family court murder case. Unable to manage the proceedings, he adjourned the house till 3 pm.
“There is no law and order in the state. Even the lives of those who visit the court to get justice are also not safe. The government should clarify what steps it has taken to provide safety and security to people on court premises,” leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra said.
Supporting contention of the Congress leader, BJP member Pradip Purohit said the state government is utilising police as party activists. “The attack by a man on his wife and family members inside the court with a sword in Sambalpur clearly reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in the state
However, government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said the government will take appropriate measures to ensure security within the court premises.
Earlier in the day, Panchayati Raj minister Pradip Maharathi was left red faced for his wrong interpretation of constitutional provisions in the House during question hour.
The issue cropped up when the minister in his reply on palli sabha and gram sabha explained the constitutional provisions which was challenged by Congress member Prafulla Majhi.
The minister said that the minister who said that there is a provision under the Article 40.243 of the Constitution on the amendment of rules for Gram Sabha in the tribal infested districts, is wrong as there is no such provision in the constitution. He requested the Speaker to ask the minister to come prepared with correct information.
The opposition Congress and BJP members later staged a walkout in the house expressing displeasure over the erroneous statement of the Panchayati Raj minister forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house till 12 pm.
