Naveen Patnaik questions law and order situation in Odisha after brutal assault on couple

BHUBANESWAR: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday targeted the state government over the law and order situation following the brutal public assault on a couple in Berhampur.

Taking to his X handle, Patnaik alleged that Odisha is witnessing a horrifying state of anarchy, claiming that instead of BJP rule, the state appears to be under ‘goonda raj’ (rule of hooligans).

Patnaik termed the brutal public assault on the young man and woman in Berhampur, who were allegedly beaten nearly to death, as utterly inhuman. He further added that the attack has terrified and disturbed people across Odisha.

Taking a dig at the state government, he wrote, “It seems that the BJP government has surrendered Odisha into the hands of criminals. The criminals are carrying out barbaric acts without any fear. Where is the police administration? Where is the rule of law? How much more will the BJP government endanger the safety of ordinary people by being engrossed in celebrations and festivities?”

The BJD supremo also questioned how much more embarrassment Odisha would have to face due to the government’s inaction. He asked the BJP-led state government to stop shielding criminals involved in various heinous crimes.