Odisha CM Makes Emotional Appeal, Says Human Tragedy Especially Relating to Women Should Not Be Politicized

Bhubaneswar: Politicizing any human tragedy especially relating to women is inhuman, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the Assembly today.

In an emotional appeal to the members of the Assembly, Naveen said, “This kind of politics will never give any returns. We are a mature democracy. We represent the four and half crore people of Odisha. Let us set high standards of political discourse both in the Assembly and outside”.

He said, “Today I am not going to make a regular statement — I would like to touch upon two issues”.

“Forget that I’m Chief Minister for 19 years or that I am President of Biju Janata Dal. As a senior Member of this House, I would humbly like to mention something — Politicising any human tragedy especially relating to women is inhuman”, Naveen said.

Rape, murder, death of women — are extremely sad events. Politicising them, multiplies the trauma and gives a very wrong message to the people at large and young people in particular, he said.

In case anyone is not satisfied with the investigation, there are legal fora for relief, the CM added.

He further said, “As Chief Minister, let me assure the House that crime against women will be one of my topmost priorities and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is done”.

“Let me assure that any case of neglect especially relating to women and children will not be spared, exemplary action would be taken”.

Due to prompt and professional investigation, in four sensational cases of rape and murder of minor girls death penalty has been awarded to the accused persons under POCSO Act. Further there is an increase in the conviction rate in red-flag cases which has gone up to 41.48% in the year 2019.

“With all humility, I would like to express my deep concern — Let’s not politicise tragedy related to women and children”, the CM said.

People are the soul of democracy. The hallmark of good governance is citizen satisfaction. Mo Sarkar is an important transformative initiative under the 5T Charter of governance.

Under Mo Sarkar, the phone number of every petitioner visiting the Police Station is recorded and random calls are made to take feedback about their experience in the Police Station, he added.

He said that he has personally made more than 300 phone calls and in the system more than 2500 calls have been made.

“Let me inform the august House that there has been a huge transformation in service delivery at the Police Station”, he said.

“We are aware that this transformational initiative will certainly increase the reporting and registration of cases. I want to send a message to all police functionaries — Do your job with commitment, without fear or favour. Do not bother about statistics of registration. Let me place on record for my Government People are more important that Statistics”.

The overall Law and Order and Crime situation in the State has largely remained under control and there has been huge improvement in the Left Wing Extremism situation in the State, he said.