Expressing concern over the growing number of crimes against women in the State, the Congress and BJP members on Tuesday alleged in the Assembly that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is trying to divert people’s attention by announcing compensation amounts and dismissing officials.
Participating in the discussion on the admissibility of an adjournment motion notice on the murder of lady school teacher from Tikiri in Rayagada district in October, Prasad Harichandan (Cong) said Itishree had approached every forum available, district officials, State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), State Women’s Commission and Director-General of Police without any result.
Alleging that the indifference of the political and bureaucratic establishments led to her death, Harichandan said that in the dying declaration she had raised fingers at the Chief Minister, School and Mass Education Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda and Koraput MP Jayram Pangi. He said that the Crime Branch probe would be inadequate as senior ruling party politicians are allegedly involved in the case and demanded a CBI probe. He also said a national bravery award should be started by the State Government to recognise Itishree’s fight against the establishment till her death.
Criticising the Chief Minister’s inaction which led to Itishree’s death, Harichandan alleged that the Chief Minister played to the gallery by dismissing four officials without a proper inquiry and by not following the due process. The dismissed officials can approach the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) and get a stay order, he said.
Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh and his party colleague Naba Kishore Das demanded CBI probe alleging that the Crime Branch probe has been ordered to cover up the incident and protect the BJD politicians behind the incident. Pratap Chandra Sarangi (Ind) demanded that action should have been taken against senior police and administrative officials whom Itishree had approached.
Former minister and BJD MLA Pradip Maharathi also demanded that a bravery award should be announced in the name of Itishree.