Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders and workers staged protests today at RDC offices in Cuttack, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, demanding a judicial investigation into the recent death of FM College student Soumyashree Bisi and the Balanga minor girl burning case.
During the protests, BJD workers raised slogans and were addressed by party leaders. Senior leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma condemned the rising crimes against women in the state, emphasizing that women are not safe. He demanded a judicial probe into the FM College student’s death, warning that the party would intensify its agitation and gherao the Assembly if the demand is not met.
The protests reflect the party’s concern over the increasing incidents of violence against women and its demand for accountability and justice.
LoP in Odisha Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, who led the protest at Sambalpur, said “This protest is a reflection of the anger of the people of Odisha. There is no law and order. It is completely broken down under this government. Women of this state are not safe. Students, maybe women students are being burnt on the road,”.
So this is a complete failure on the part of the government. The government has completely failed, he added.
BJD Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra headed the agitation in Cuttack. He said that the people are in deep anguish over the recent happenings.
“The government is saying that for 1 year, we did this thing, and they have not come out of their celebratory mood. After that, last year, 15 women were raped each day. Recently, we saw that a college girl is not safe on a beach, which is a known tourist destination. On a college campus, the girls are not safe… Even the American government has given the advisories that women in Odisha are not safe,” he added.
“We, as a responsible opposition, are agitating in Bhubaneswar and Balasore, and students are doing it in colleges. Today, in 3 RDC locations at the call of the BJD, the demonstration is taking place,” Mishra said.
