Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday asked the senior police officers to create an atmosphere where girls, women and students can move freely across the state.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi said this while addressing the two-days long Collectors’ Conference also attended by the Superintendents of Police (SP)s different districts, senior IPS officers and others here.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, ACS Home, Satyabrata Sahu, DGP Y B Khurania and DG Fire ServicesSudhanshu Sarangi and other Top Cops attended the ceremony.
“It is seen from records that the cases of eve teasing have increased in Odisha. The Police department should ensure that girls, students and women can move freely across the state,” Shri Majhi said.
Shri Majhi said that the rate of conviction in the crimes against women remained low (only 9.7 per cent) since 22 years in the state.
Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the home department, said this is highly disappointing and the government will not tolerate this.
“You must take stern action in the crimes against women. Such a data implies two things, either there are some lapses in police investigation or lack of intent on the part of the department for speedy trial,” CM Urged.
CM also sought a report from the DGP on district-wise data of crime against women, conviction pending status and other information within a week. “I urge the DGP to provide district-wise data of cases against women, conviction pending status and other data within one week. After legal consultations, a future roadmap will be prepared,” Shri Majhi said.
He asserted that the state government is committed to ensuring zero tolerance against crime against women and children, adding he said tough action will be taken against culprits even if the powerful and influential people are found guilty.
Asking the police to ensure speedy justice to the people, particularly in the case of crime against women, Shri Majhi said his government adopts a “zero tolerance” towards criminals. He also asked the police to respect women at police stations, listen to their complaints patiently, lodge complaints and take immediate action.
“It doesn’t matter whether the complaint received in the day or night. Our duty is not confined to only 8 or 10 hours. By listening to the victims, the police can win trust of people and cal also become their greind,” CM Pointed out.
Chief Minister also said: “Mend your ways and behave with people coming to the police station. The government always stands with the police force but at the same time will not tolerate corruption, irregularities and misuse of power by anybody at any cost.
While cautioning the police regarding their responsibilities and coming down heavily on the erring cops, CM also lauded the works of the police force. “There could be some deviation, but the Odisha Police is disciplined. Odisha has the reputation of being a peaceful state because of the dedicated work of majority of the police personnel,” he noted.
CM Shri Majhi said Odisha Police have conducted peaceful general elections for the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly, conducted a smooth Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath and also contained the naxalim in the state. He said the Odisha government was working with dedication to make the state free from left-wing extremism and hence all kinds of required manpower and other infrastructure will be provided.
Chief Minister also appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and return to the mainstream, or else face consequences as there are plans to make the country free from left-wing extremism. He lauded efforts of Odisha Police in controlling Maoist Menace in the State.