BJP MLAs walk out of Odisha Assembly after minister says crime

Opposition BJP on Wednesday staged a walkout from the Assembly in protest against the Odisha government's assertion that crime situation in the state was "well within control" and the police have taken "necessary" action in cases of sexual assault of minor girls.

The issue was raised after the Zero Hour with the legislators discussing the possibility of moving an adjournment motion in the House for a full-fledged debate on cases of missing children and rape of minors in Odisha.

Speaker S N Patro allowed a discussion on the twin issues in view of the ruckus created by the BJP and the Congress MLAs in the past two days, seeking resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over alleged increase of violence against minors.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Pradipta Kumar Naik, alleged that the "police have no control over criminals, the main factor for the alarming rise in rape cases".

"The use of police for political purposes is also another reason why crime rate has seen a steep increase in Odisha," he claimed.

Naik also sought a reply from the government on the administration's alleged failure to trace missing girls and boys. "I suspect the girls are used in illegal flesh trade and boys in the human organ trade," the BJP leader said.

Rejecting the contention that the state has seen an "alarming increase" in rape cases in the recent times, Parliamentary Affairs Minister B K Arukha said the number has declined when compared to last year.

"The crime situation in the state is well within control. There has been decline in the number of rape cases by 5.9 per cent in comparison to the previous year. A total of 937 rape cases were registered in Odisha till May, 2019 against 996 cases during the corresponding period in 2018.

"Of these 937 cases, 509 involved minor girls. Last year, the number of minor victims was 525," the minister said.

Arukha also rejected Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra's allegation that only six persons are convicted in rape cases in a year, while seven women are raped in Odisha every day.

"The conviction rate in rape cases in 2018 was 18.35 per cent against 2017's figure of 16.92 per cent. Police have taken necessary action in cases involving sexual assault of minors," he told the House.

Expressing displeasure over the minister's reply, the BJP leaders walked out of the House, accusing the government of "not doing enough" to curb crime in the state.

Taking exception to Arukha's observations, Mishra said the state government has adopted an "escapist attitude" in the face of criticism.

"What is the meaning of saying that rape incidents have come down by 5.9 per cent in a year, when the Supreme Court clearly mentioned that 1,005 minor girls have been raped in Odisha between January and June this year?" he said.

The number of rape cases in Odisha was 1,025 in 2010, it increased to 2,502 in 2018, he stated.

"Is not it an alarming situation?" Mishra said while asking the state government to "change its attitude and mindset and work towards curbing the rape incidents".

He suggested the state government set up a House committee to find out a mechanism to curb the menace. Mishra also said that "3Ps- Prevention, Prosecution and Punishment" could help reduce the number of rape incidents.

Among others who participated in Wednesday's discussion were BJP member Mohan Majhi, B C Sethi, Congress member S S Saluja, BJD MLAs Prafulla Samal, Snehangini Chhuria, S B Behera and Prashant Muduli.