Odisha: BJD Criticizes BJP Over Attack on Tribal Women in Balasore
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has vehemently criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) concerning the assault on tribal women, which stemmed from claims of forced conversion in the Remuna area of Odisha's Balasore district a few days ago.
During a press briefing on Monday, BJD leader Lekhasri Samantsinghar stated that the disgraceful event occurred in Chanakanapur village within the Mukhura panchayat under the jurisdiction of Remuna Police on December 26.
It is important to highlight that the police arrived at the scene upon notification, rescuing the victims and apprehending the accused individuals.
BJD leader Samantsinghar further asserted that this incident reflects a deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha under the BJP's governance.
She also referenced a viral video allegedly shared by the main perpetrator Badal Panda on social media.
"The women victims were viciously beaten with shoes and sticks. They were dragged naked, bound to a tree, and subsequently assaulted by individuals affiliated with the BJP who are operating kangaroo courts and practicing vigilantism here," stated Samantsinghar.
She claimed that a BJD fact-finding team that visited the village determined that the victims were tribal, whereas the assailants were non-tribal.
“We denounce the BJP's attempts to impose a system of kangaroo courts and citizen vigilantism in our state,” remarked Samantsinghar.
The BJD leader accused the police of failing to detain the culprits due to pressure from political figures within the ruling party.
The BJD is calling for stringent action against all those involved in this disgraceful episode, advocating for charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
Samantsinghar presented photographs of the alleged main perpetrator, Badal Panda, with senior BJP officials, including former union minister and Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, to support claims of police negligence regarding the arrest of the primary suspect.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, asserted that attacks on tribal communities have surged in states governed by the BJP.
Gandhi made this assertion while referencing the suspicious death of a tribal youth in police custody in Madhya Pradesh and the assault on two tribal women in Balasore, Odisha.
Former Union Minister Sarangi dismissed allegations concerning his connections with the accused Badal Panda, asserting that he was previously affiliated with the BJD before recently joining the BJP.
"The party cannot be held accountable for his actions. If a student commits murder, the principal of that institution isn't held responsible for it. Two days ago, upon learning of the incident through the viral video, I contacted the Balasore SP and urged him to arrest the accused, including the primary perpetrator Badal Panda," Sarangi stated.
Notably, Balasore SP Raj Prasad informed reporters on Monday that two cases have been registered based on the complaints from opposing groups, and three individuals have been arrested thus far regarding the assault on the two tribal women.
