Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Pradipta Naik on Tuesday asked the State Government to clarify in public as to why it has not set up a single fast-track court for trial of cases of rape and other atrocities against women.
“The number of crimes against women, especially rape cases, is rising in the State. It seems that there is no Home Department, and police are not working at all. For trial of cases of violence against women, Andhra Pradesh has set up 72 fast-track courts, Tamil Nadu 69, West Bengal 88 and Maharashtra 100 fast track courts. But Odisha has no such courts. While the Union Government is bearing 60 per cent of the expenditure for establishment of fast-track courts, the Odisha Government should clarify why it has not set up a single fast-track court,” Naik demanded to know.
Addressing a Press conference here, Naik further slammed the Government for not establishing adequate numbers of women police station in the State. Informing that there are only six such police stations operating in the State, Naik demanded that the Government take early steps for establishment of women police stations in all districts in two months’ time.
He said while 1,928 rape cases were registered in 2016, the number rose to 2,221 in 2017 and 2,502 in 2018. As many as 1,149 rape cases have been registered by November-end during the current year, 2019.
Naik further alleged that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has remained silent even as people live in fear due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the State.