Bhubaneswar, June 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday slammed the state government, alleging that the brutal assault on a young man and a woman from outside Odisha by a mob of around 40 villagers on suspicion of being child-lifters in Kalyansinghpur of Rayagada district on June 16 reflects a complete breakdown of governance and law and order in the state.
Addressing a press conference at the BJD headquarters here, Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo cited the attack on the non-Odia victims and alleged that Odisha, once known as a peace-loving state, is now gaining notoriety for corruption, mob violence, atrocities against women and a deteriorating law-and-order situation. Deo strongly criticised the recurring incidents of violence in the state and accused the government of failing to discharge its responsibilities.
Questioning whether Odisha still retains its identity as a peace-loving state, she said the June 16 incident had shocked and disturbed people across the state. Referring to videos of the attack, she said the violence and brutality displayed against the victims were deeply disturbing and condemnable in any civilised society.
She further alleged that incidents of mob violence were increasing as law and order continued to worsen. Holding the government responsible for the Rayagada incident, she claimed that concerns raised in a recent U.S. travel advisory now appeared justified. The BJD also demanded that the government publish a White Paper detailing the measures taken to ensure women’s safety in the state.
Earlier, BJD president Naveen Patnaik questioned how the government could celebrate two years in office under the slogan “Vikas Ra Dhara, Odisha Sara” when Odisha was facing criticism over incidents of violence against women and the deteriorating law-and-order situation. He urged the government to take the strictest measures to ensure women’s safety and maintain law and order.
According to police, the victims were working for an NGO and were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district to Thuamul-Rampur in Kalahandi district via Kalyansinghpur using Google Maps.
Meanwhile, the victims were reportedly stopped and questioned by some villagers on suspicion of being child-lifters at Kandulaguda village under Dhamunipanga Panchayat, located about 7 km from Kalyansinghpur police station.
Later, as the two volunteers were returning to Kalyansinghpur after being frightened by the situation, some people allegedly spread rumours over phone calls in nearby villages that child-lifters were on the move.
The rumour quickly spread across Sainagar, Intaliguda and the surrounding areas. Near a roadside dhaba at Sainagar, a group of youths intercepted the two volunteers and assaulted them. Within a short time, more than a hundred people gathered at the spot and joined the mob attack.
The victims were later rescued by the local police and some brave and alert youths of the locality who rushed them to the hospital for treatment.
Taking the matter seriously, the Rayagada police have so far arrested 20 persons following the examination of viral video footage of the inhuman attack on the victims.
Source: IANS
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