Did BJD Demand a Crime Branch Investigation into the Pattamundai Self-Immolation Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJD demands a Crime Branch investigation.
- Victim's father faced negligence from police.
- Incident highlights issues in law enforcement.
- Call for action to prevent future tragedies.
- Importance of addressing harassment complaints seriously.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (NationPress) The opposition party in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has called for an investigation by the Crime Branch into the tragic self-immolation of a young girl from Kathiapada village, located within the jurisdiction of the Pattamundai Rural police station in Kendrapara district.
At a press briefing on Thursday, senior BJD figure Pratap Keshari Deb asserted that the incident highlights the negligence and incompetence of the local police authorities.
“We have learned that the victim’s father had previously filed a complaint regarding harassment from the girl’s boyfriend. Instead of registering the complaint, the on-duty Assistant Sub-Inspector merely suggested that he block the boyfriend’s number and erase inappropriate images. Tragically, six months later, the girl felt compelled to take her own life. This is indeed a heartbreaking situation,” stated Deb.
He went on to say that when the victim’s father discovered her lifeless body in their home, he promptly contacted the police, who allegedly took around four hours to arrive at the scene.
Deb claimed that had the ASI taken proper action on the complaint, the girl may not have resorted to such a drastic action on Wednesday.
“Through this media outlet, I urge Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to ensure that the Crime Branch launches an immediate investigation. The Director General of Police for Odisha should also form a dedicated team to look into this case thoroughly,” he added.
In response, Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria announced on Thursday that the implicated ASI, Sailendra Mohan Palei, has been reassigned to facilitate a fair and transparent inquiry. Kataria indicated that initial findings suggest the girl took her own life.
This recent incident of self-immolation involved a student who set herself ablaze at her home, reportedly due to ongoing blackmail from her boyfriend in Pattamundai, Kendrapara district.