BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday expressed concern over the stole removal episode at a Government function in Sundargarh district and warned the police against repetition of such incidents in future.
Making a statement in the Assembly which has been witnessing strong protest from Opposition Congress and BJP over the incident since Monday, the CM said he has already directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to conduct an inquiry into the matter and take appropriate action.
“I strongly share the concern of this august House on the issue of security personnel removing black ‘Odhani’ of girls in a Government programme in Sundargarh on fourth of this month”, Naveen told the Assembly.
The CM said the security forces have also been warned not to repeat such things in future.
“When I came to know about this incident, I was personally shocked. I called Home Secretary and DGP and warned against such conduct which denigrates human dignity and its repetition in future,” he added.
Naveen said the Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Rourkela is already probing the incident.
“My Government is sensitive and fully committed towards empowerment and preserving the dignity of women. I am also against causing inconvenience to people while enforcing security protocol,” he said.
Congress members created a ruckus in the House during the Zero Hour demanding an apology from the CM on the Sundargarh incident. Normalcy returned when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Arukha informed the House that the CM will give a statement on the issue.
As Speaker Niranjan Pujari did not allow BJP MLA Radharani Panda to speak on a similar incident that took place at Brajarajnagar on November 23 during the CM’s visit, BJP legislators created ruckus in the well of the House by shouting slogans.
Rabi Naik (BJP) climbed onto the Speaker’s podium and snatched some documents. Unable to run the House, the Speaker had to adjourn the Assembly repeatedly.
Reacting to the CM’s statement, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra said though the former has admitted to the incident, inaction of the Government against the culprits proves the allegation that removal of stoles/scarves/shawls was done at his instruction.