New Delhi [India], July 20 : Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra on Sunday said that he will raise in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament beginnig on Monday, the "alarming rise" in crimes against women in Odisha.
The BJD leader made the remarks after attending an all-party meeting in the national capital.
Speaking to ANI, Patra said, "In Odisha, the situation is extremely critical. Women and girl children are being continuously attacked...The fact is that today, the Odisha BJP government is completely incompetent, failed and has no control on the law and order situation which is collapsing in the state. Heinous crimes against women and girl children are rising day by day. So therefore, we will be taking all of these issues to the parliament, apart from the various other issues of the state."
A college student in Odisha succumbed to her injuries recently days after she herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. The incident has raised a major political row across the state.
Meanwhile, Patra extended support to the opposition parties. "We are with the opposition on all the issues, for all the discussions that the opposition wants," he said.
Previously, BJD leader and former MP Amar Patnaik condemned the brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Puri district of Odisha, stating that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated.
The girl was reportedly tied to a tree and set ablaze by miscreants in broad daylight at Balanga in Puri. She has been admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with severe burn injuries.
Speaking to ANI, Patnaik said, "Such unfortunate incidents are taking place one after the other. An impression about Odisha is being created that there is no law and order in the state. Criminals do not fear anyone. The victim was just walking on the road and going somewhere. She was pulled aside, tied to a tree, and set on fire. This happened in broad daylight... The law and order situation in the state has gone for a toss. The government is unable to do anything." Demanding exemplary punishment, Patnaik added, "Such a strict action must be taken against the accused that all criminals think twice before committing any crime..."