Congress MLA Sofia Firdous meets Army officer's fiancee, raises concern over rising crime in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Sept 21: Congress MLA Sofia Firdous on Friday met the Army officer's fiancee who is undergoing treatment at Bhubaneswar AIIMS following the assault in Bharatpur police station here last week.

The Barabati- Cuttack MLA criticised the Odisha government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Also Read: Stringent action will be taken in Army officer and fiancee assault case: Odisha CM Majhi

After meeting the Army officer's fiancee, Firdous demanded immediate action into the matter and said “everyone is scared" due to the increase in crimes in the state.

"This is an inhuman incident. Immediate action should be taken against this; merely suspending them (police officers) is not enough...,” she said media persons.

Notably, an Army officer posted in West Bengal and his fiancee were allegedly harassed by some local youths late Saturday night following which they approached the Bharatpur police station to take swift action against the miscreants over road rage before they flee from the spot.

However, the duo picked up a quarrel with cops in the police station as the on duty officer asked to register an FIR first.

The army officer was allegedly kept in the lockup and assaulted while his female friend was taken to a secluded room by a woman officer, where she was allegedly assaulted, stripped and molested.

Also Read: Odisha: Naveen Patnaik demands judicial probe in assault case of Army officer, fiancee

Reacting on the incident, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi yesterday said stringent action will be taken against the accused involved in assaulting the Army officer and his fiancee in Bharatpur police station.

"The Odisha Crime Branch is probing the case. Five police personnel have been suspended and a criminal case has been registered against them. Stringent action will be taken against the accused involved in the case," said Majhi.

Majhi's statement came hours after former Odisha Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in state Assembly Naveen Patnaik today demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged assault of the Army officer and his fiancee in Bharatpur police station.

Also Read: Army officer assault case: NCW directs Odisha DGP to submit ATR within 3 days

Patnaik termed the incident as 'very shocking' and a matter of great concern. He demanded stringent action against the accused and a court monitored SIT investigation into the case.