New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Congress on Friday accused the BJP government in Odisha of failing to control crimes against women, and claimed that there was a sharp increase in atrocities since the party took power in the state.
The party also slammed the state’s law and order situation, calling it “completely in shambles.”
Addressing a press conference, Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Chief Bhakta Charan Das alleged that crimes, especially against tribal and Dalit women, have escalated significantly.
“The crime rate against women in Odisha was 9.3 percent in 2022, but now 31,000 cases have been registered, reflecting an eight percent rise,” said Das.
Citing figures, he added, “The Chief Minister himself admitted that 44,000 women, children, and girls are missing. According to NCRB data, 39 women go missing every day in India, and 13 of them are from Odisha alone.”
He further alleged that the state has witnessed over 1,600 cases of rape and murder, with several cases going unregistered.
“In the last eight months of the BJP government, CM Mohan Charan Majhi has acknowledged that 3,420 women and 8,403 children are missing. Additionally, 54 incidents of gang rape have been reported during this period,” he claimed.
The OPCC Chief also accused the ruling BJP of turning a blind eye to the worsening situation.
“All this is happening, yet BJP’s ‘double-engine’ government remains silent,” Das said, adding that the Congress would not sit idle and would continue to raise its voice against such crimes.
He also criticised the Odisha CM for blaming the previous BJD government.
“The CM is comparing his eight months of sins with BJD’s 24 years of sins. This is extremely shameful,” the OPCC President remarked.
Demanding urgent intervention, Das urged the Central government to take immediate steps to curb rising crimes against women in the state.
