Odisha orders probe into police firing on women

The Odisha government on Wednesday ordered an administrative probe into the alleged police firing on several people including women, protesting against a liquor shop in Kendrapara district on March 8.

About 13 people including women were injured in the police firing and protesters' clash at Namtara village in Kendrapada district.

"An administrative inquiry will be conducted by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of central division into Namtara village incident where some women and police persons were injured in a clash March 8," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh told the assembly.

He was replying to a debate on an adjournment motion over the issue.

The opposition members from the Congress and BJP rushed to the well of the house demanding a statement from the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, on the first day of the second leg of the budget session on Wednesday.

The speaker adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m. The agitated members displayed posters and placards criticising the ruling party for the barbaric act of the police against women.

Demanding the formation of a house committee to probe the incident, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra said registration of criminal cases against the collector and superintendent of police should be initiated.

"They had informed the district collector on February 25 that they would be holding a protest. It was an unprovoked attack on them. Besides, police had no magistrate's permission to open firing," said Mishra.