The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday gheraoed the office of the State Commission for Women (SCW) here on Monday demanding resignation of commission Chairperson Minati Behera for misuse of power in the matter of investigation into the death of VLW Smitarani Biswal of Jajpur.
“SCW Chairperson is a constitutional post. However, the Chairperson has misguided people telling a lid that she has completed an impartial investigation in the alleged murder of VLW Smitarani. She has neither conducted any investigation nor met any member of Smitarani’s family. She has hoodwinked people of the State,” alleged Morcha president Pravati Parida who led the agitation.
Parida wanted to know how Behera completed an impartial probe when she has not visited the incident site in Jajapur district and talked to the victim’s husband or other bereaved family members.
“Behera didn’t recognise deceased Smitarani’s husband when the latter came to her office in Bhubaneswar. Besides, the Dharmasala police have no information regarding her visit Haridashpur where Smitarani was found dead. From these, it is proved that Behera is telling a lie,” argued Parida.
Stating that the SCW Chairperson can’t give any justice to women, Parida demanded her resignation forthwith. She demanded that a CBI inquiry be conducted into the incident and action against the Jajpur SP for his alleged character assassination remark of the victim.
Among others, former Minister Surama Padhi, Pinki Pradhan, Babitra Patra, Anita Subhadarshini, Kananbala Patnaik Niyati Giri, Sonali Sahoon, Subasini Prushti, Rashmirekha Das, Mandakini Rath and Niroj Nalini Mahallik were present.