Bhubaneswar : The Law and order situation in Odisha is completely under control , Odisha Minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra told the state Assembly today.
Replying to a debate on the admissibility of an adjournment motion on deteriorating law and order situation in the state moved by the BJP , Mr.Mishra said there was communal harmony among different communities,no student unrest and various festivals were observed following all covid protocols peacefully.
The Minister said due to timely intelligence reports and prior action of the Police no major law and order situation has arisen in the state.
The Ratha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Vesh of the Lord Jagannath this year were observed peacefully due to police arrangement.
Police have fruitfully controlled the law and order situation during the covid pandemic and have kept a vigil to prevent the spread of the possible third wave.
Mr. Mishra said no terrorist activities reported in the state and the Naxal situation in the state has improved significantly.
Out of the 15 Naxal infested districts five districts— Angul, Boudh, Deogarh,Nayagarh and Sambalpur were removed from the SRE list of the central government.
He claimed that due to strong police action so far three Maoists were killed , 25 arrested and 15 surrendered before the police.
The government, he said, has always been giving priority to maintain law and order and to protect life and property of the people.
The government is committed to maintain law and order as per the provisions of the constitution , the Minister said adding the allegation made by the opposition that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed is not true.
The government, he said, is implementing the Emergency Response System to provide quick service during crime and emergency.
The Minister further said a special drive was launched last year against narcotic drugs.
While around 1550 quintal of ganja was seized last year, 807 quintal of ganja was seized till June this year. About 34.32 kg of brown sugar was seized last year while 21.60 kg of brown sugar was seized till the end of June this year.
Participating in the debate the Opposition members alleged that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order situation in the state.
Many posts in the Police department are lying vacant and new police stations are not being opened to control the rising crime.
Police,they alleged, are not taking any action as the ruling party leaders are involved in the crime.
Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi said no action was taken against the Law Minister Pratap Jena even though his name was figured in the FIR in the Mahanga triple murder case.
Replying to the allegation , Mr. Mishra said a charge sheet has been filed against 13 accused and three were shown as absconders. One of the accused was killed in a road accident.
He said the Salipur JMFC Court has ordered police to re-investigate the allegation made against Law Minister Pratap Jena adding further investigation in the case is on.
The Minister said self acclaimed Guruji Manas Das and his son Manoranjan have been arrested by the Begunia Police and forwarded to court . The case is now sub judice.
Mr Mukesh Mahalingam (BJP ) expressed concern over the rising incidents of cyber crimes in the state.
Congress Legislature party leader Narashingha Mishra said a large number of Police posts are lying vacant and regretted that the government was not taking any step to fill up these vacant posts.
Mr Santosh Singh Saluja (Cong) said crime against women and children is rising in the state and no tangible steps are taken by the government to curb it.
