leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra on Friday slammed the State Government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for patronising the police force for its own political gains. The rule of law is not followed in the State, he regretted in the Assembly.
Initiating the debate on the demand for grants relating to the Home Department for 2014-15, Mishra said the number of cognizable offences has increased in the State. There is deterioration of law and order as the Government is using the police force for political purposes and “somebody else” other than the Chief Minister is looking after the administration of the Home Department, he said Mishra said that if the Government itself resorts to violation of law, there would be no rule of law. The crime rates are also rising as the Government is not enforcing law and order.
Alleging that the rate of conviction has been reduced, he said the number of rape cases in the State has increased from 1,100 in 2012 to 1,832 this year. The percentage of the increase in the rape cases in Odisha is the highest in the country, he pointed out.
The rate of conviction is only 5.9 per cent, which is an all-time low due to bad investigation, abnormal delay in disposing of cases, absence of cadre prosecutors and less number of courts to conduct the trial at minimum time, Mishra said.
He alleged that though the husband of present Titilagarh MlA was murdered in a gruesome manner, the investigation has been closed while the main accused is yet to be nabbed.
The people had not given their mandate in favour of the BJD for increase in crime and rape. The Government should introspect and give more stress on the security and safety of women, he said.
Criticising the Government for its lackadaisical attitude towards establishment of permanent High Court Benches in western and southern Odisha, the Congress leader also demanded that the Government initiate concrete steps in this regard and ensure action.
Mishra urged the Government to create a separate wing for investigation of the cases, set up more courts and create a cadre of Public Prosecutors for speedy trial of cases for public convenience.
Raising the issue of protocol violation, he said the Assembly Speaker should be given due honour in after the Governor with the Chief Minister coming third in the order instead of second.