Bhubaneswar, May 8 (IANS) Members of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), the youth and student wings of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Friday staged a gherao of the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s residence here, demanding his resignation over the alleged deterioration in the law and order situation in the state.​

As per the direction of the President of BJD, Naveen Patnaik, the agitation was organised under the leadership of BYJD President Chinmaya Sahu and BCJD President Ipsita Sahoo against the rising crime rates and the growing atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the general public. The regional party stated that hundreds of youth, student leaders, and carders participated in the movement and raised their voices for peace, security, and good governance in the state.​

“Due to the negligence and failure of the present government, the law-and-order situation in the state has become alarming. Women, youth, students, and common people are feeling insecure. It is extremely unfortunate that while the morale of criminals is increasing, the government is not giving importance to the safety and security of the common people,” revealed BJD sources.​

The party has demanded that the state government immediately take strict measures to restore public confidence and ensure peace and security in the state.

The state government has come under severe criticism from the opposition BJD and the Indian National Congress following recent incidents of crime that have shocked both the state and the nation.​

On Thursday, a GRP constable, Soumya Ranjan Swain, was beaten to death by a mob of villagers over allegations of sexual assault on two girls in the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased, Soumya Ranjan Swain, along with residents of his native village, Maujpur in Cuttack district, staged a protest by blocking the Phulnakhara-Niali road.​

The protesting villagers also demanded financial compensation for Soumya’s bereaved family and the release of his friend Om Prakash Rout, who was present at the crime scene during the mob lynching and is currently in police detention.

The Commissionerate police have so far succeeded in arresting five persons in connection with the killing of the deceased GRP constable.

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–IANS

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