BHUBANESWAR: Amid mounting political pressure to take quick and effective action against errant police personnel for allegedly torturing an Army officer and his fiancée at Bharatpur police station on Sept 15, chief minister Mohan Majhi on Friday asserted his govt’s resolve to take stringent action against the perpetrators.
“We will not have second thoughts about the action that should be taken against them,” the CM said, while responding to media queries in Keonjhar, where he is on a tour.The CM pointed out that the errant police personnel have been suspended and an FIR lodged against them.
Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who met the survivor, said the inquiry will be fast-tracked and action will be taken once the probe report comes. “There will be exemplary action. The govt has is very clear about adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards violence against women,” Parida said. Sources said she also spoke of initiating police reforms.
The statements came on a day former CM Naveen Patnaik demanded court-monitored probe by a special investigation team and judicial inquiry into the incident while Congress leaders alleged police were turning predators under BJP govts. Ex-servicmen and members of civil society also voiced their concern.
Speaking to the media at the BJD office, Naveen described the alleged violence directed towards the Army officer and sexual assault on his fiancée as “very, very shocking news” and said, “We demand a full judicial inquiry into this matter and action must be taken very quickly.”
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, in an post on X, wrote that the entire country is shocked by the way the police in Odisha committed brutality and sexual violence against the fiancée of an Army officer who had gone to the police to seek help. Stating that BJP govts across the country are working on a policy to turn the police from protectors to predators, she added, “In BJP governments, the criminal attitude of the police towards crimes against women actually flourishes by getting protection from those in power. In such a situation, what should the women of the country do for safety and justice, where should they go?”
Former Army chief VK Singh said what happened to the officer’s fiancée in Odisha is shameful and horrendous. “@CMO_Odisha should take immediate action against the police personnel and all who are trying to shield the criminals in police uniform . #ShameonOdishaPolice,” wrote Singh, who was a minister in Narendra Modi’s second term as PM.