BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed concern over the stole removal
incident at a government function in Sundargarh district and warned the police against repetition of such incidents future.
Making a statement in the Assembly which has been witnessing strong protest from Opposition Congress and BJP on the incident since Monday, the Chief Minister said he has already directed the Director
General of Police 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 district on fourth of this month", Patnaik
told the House.
The Chief Minister said the security forces have also been warned not to repeat such things in future.
"When I came to know this incident, I was personally shocked. I called Home secretary and DGP and warned against such conduct which denigrates human dignity and warned against repetition," he added.
Patnaik said the Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Rourkela is already enquiring 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 Zero hour demanding apology from the Chief Minister on the Sudargarh incident. Normalcy returns when Parliamentary Minister Bikram Arukha
informed the House that the Chief Minister 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 Chief Minister's visit, BJP legislators
created ruckus in the well of the House by shouting slogans.
Rabi Naik, MLA climbed onto the Speaker's podium and snatched some documents. Unable to run the House Speaker Niranjan Pujari had to adjourn the House repeatedly.
Reacting to the Chief Minister's statement, leader of opposition Narsingh Mishra said though the former has admitted the incident, but inaction of the government against the culprits proved the allegation that removal of stoles/scarves/shawls were done at his instruction.