Bhubaneswar, March 16: A tragic series of events unfolded during the Holi celebrations on Saturday, as five individuals were allegedly murdered in various parts of Odisha. This spate of killings has sparked sharp criticism from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) against the state government's handling of law and order.
BJD legislator Arun Sahoo has strongly condemned the BJP-led government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the home ministry and oversees police and law enforcement. Sahoo highlighted what he described as a pattern of increasing violence in major cities. He criticized the government for failing to maintain public safety, despite prior assurances during the festival.
“The government made several promises that law and order would be maintained and citizens would be safe. Yet, five murders occurred yesterday during Holi celebrations. After this government took charge, despite issuing numerous warnings, such crimes have been happening in broad daylight. Criminals now feel emboldened under a weak government,” Sahoo expressed, voicing his concerns.
In response, BJP Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra rejected the BJD's allegations, accusing the opposition party of passing the buck. He pointed to the challenges faced by the current government due to a shortage of police personnel and questioned the previous BJD-led administration’s accountability.
“The current BJP government is working to address the issues left behind by the ineffective governance of the BJD. For the last 24 years, they were in power, and now they are trying to blame the BJP,” Mahapatra said. “The allegations by BJD are unfounded. They should reflect on their past when making such accusations,” he added.
