BHUBANESWAR : Amid a disturbing rise in serious crimes across the state, the violence during Dussehra celebrations in Cuttack and the latest cold-blooded murder of Pitabasa Panda, who was not only a senior advocate but also leader of the ruling BJP on Monday night, has pushed the Mohan Charan Majhi government into a corner.
Questions on the law and order situation under its administration apart, that it has failed to ensure safety of even its own party leaders has painted a sorry picture of the government and the BJP in the state. What is even more appalling is that three murder incidents, including Panda’s killing, rocked Ganjam district within 24 hours.
In such a situation, the ruling party’s assertion that the state government will take the case to a logical end and the killers of Panda will be arrested soon doesn’t evoke much confidence.
More so, the fact that Panda, an RTI activist, was a prominent figure in Ganjam politics and a close confidant of Steel and Mines minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, has put the government in an embarrassing situation.
“It is certainly a shame for the government and the party. It will be very difficult to not only face the Opposition but more, importantly, the people when a prominent BJP leader is gunned down near his house and the police are unable to trace the killers. How do you explain it when a ruling party leader is not safe under his own government?” a senior BJP leader remarked.
BJP sources said what is more awful is that two senior police officers - the inspector in-charge of Baidyanathpur police station and the Berhampur SP - were allowed to go on leave during an important festival like Kumar Purnima, which is observed across south Odisha with great fervour. Southern Odisha, especially Ganjam, is more notorious for gambling during this festive season when group clashes and other criminal activities occur and police are required to remain on high alert.
While the police and people close to Panda are still figuring out the motive behind the murder, sources said this could be linked to his anti-corruption activism, political rivalry or other business disputes. The possibility that he was murdered in connection with the SI recruitment scam cannot also be ruled out as Panda was handling the case of the arrested candidates, sources said.
Meanwhile, condemning Panda’s murder, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said it was a great loss for the party and the society. “Panda was known for his relentless fight against injustice and his struggles for the underprivileged,” he said.
“Strong action will be taken in this regard and anti-socials will not be allowed to break law and order. The ongoing investigation will determine if there are any political connections to the murder,” he added.
