Couple attempts self-immolation outside Odisha Assembly, ruckus in House
A man and his wife from OdishasNayagarh district attempted self-immolation outside theAssembly here on Tuesday, alleging that they have been deniedjustice in the alleged abduction and killing of their five-year-old daughter.
The incident resonated in the assembly where oppositionBJP and Congress came down heavily on the BJD government.
The incident took place during noon when the House wasdiscussing law and order situation in the state.
The victim girls father has alleged that the main accusedin the case is a key aide of a minister from Nayagarh, and thepolice was “bowing down to political pressure”.
The couple, identified as Ashok Sahu and his wifeSoudamini from Jadupur village in Nayagarh district, washowever rescued by the security personnel deployed outside theassembly.
Though the couple had poured kerosene oil of their bodies,they were prevented from lighting the matchstick by thesecurity personnel.
Ashok alleged that his five-year-old daughter “Pari” waskidnapped while she was playing near home on July 10.
Her body was later found in the backyard of the house witheyes gouged out and kidneys removed.
“Though we lodged a complaint with the Nayagarh Sadarpolice station, no action was taken. We found her body dumpedin our backyard two weeks later,” the distraught father said.
“We had even named the accused at the grievance cell of thedistrict Superintendent of Police and the Collector, but noaction has been taken,” Ashok stated.
He also alleged that the accused and his associatesattacked them on October 26, as they refused to withdraw thecomplaint in connection with the case.
“Although the police arrested 10 people for attacking us,it spared the main accused,” he claimed.
The issue was raised in the House by Congress LegislatureParty (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra who demanded a statementfrom the government on the matter.
Alleging breach of security, Mishra said the home ministershould come out with a statement and inform the house as tohow a couple could bring kerosene oil and reach near theAssembly building.
“Is it not a case of intelligence and police failure? Arewe all in the house safe? What will happen if someone couldreach the Assembly with a bomb/” Mishra asked.
Senior Congress member S S Saluja wanted clarificationfrom the government on the victim girl parents taking name ofa Cabinet Minister, who allegedly provided protection to themain accused in the abduction and murder case.
Congress Whip Taraprasad Bahinipati said,”The couple cameto the state capital after being denied justice in Nayagarh.
Why police remained silent for more than three months to takeaction against the main accused.” “The Chief Minister should take action against theminister who has been named by Paris parents,” Bahinipatisaid.
Leader of Opposition P K Naik of BJP said as the familymembers of the victim have alleged that a ministers keypersons were involved in the abduction and killing of thegirl, “Let the Chief Minister, who is also the home minister,inform the house on the role of the minister in the abductionand killing of the kid.” Responding to the opposition members demand, Speaker S NPatro asked Minister of State, Home, D S Mishra to make astatement in the house on the issues Wednesday.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)