Oppn demands CM's statement over recent cases of minors' rape

The Odisha Assembly today witnessed repeated adjournments amid a ruckus by the Congress and BJP members over the rising incidents of minors' rape across the state.

As soon as the members assembled for the Question Hour, the opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House, demanding a statement on the issue from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who also holds the Home department folio.

The members raised slogans against the government and refused to get back to their seats despite repeated pleas by Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat.

Unable to run the House, Amat adjourned the proceedings till 11.30 am.

When the House met again for the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra strongly criticised the state government over the recent incidents of sexual assault on minors.

"When women, particularly minor girls, are being raped almost every day, the state government appears to be sleeping. The chief minister is not concerned over the heinous crimes and therefore did not issue a statement on the matter. The culprits are also not afraid of law," Mishra said.

Alleging that the chief minister ducked queries of the opposition members, Mishra said, "Three days ago, when questions were raised in the assembly on women's safety, he (CM) did not speak a word on the issue."