Congress workers in Berhampur demand resignation of Naveen Patnaik over Kodala issue. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, July 22: The Opposition Congress today demanded resignation of chief minister Naveen Patnaik over the Kodala incident, which exposed the deterioration in the law and order situation in his home district Ganjam.

“Naveen has no moral right to continue as he himself heads the home department,” said president of Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Niranjan Patnaik while leading a protest demonstration here today. A party delegation, headed by him submitted a four-point memorandum addressed to the governor through the revenue divisional commissioner (southern division).

The party also sought a judicial inquiry into the July 15 Kodala police firing by a sitting judge of the high court. Two persons had been killed and several injured in the police firing.

The Opposition also demanded that the inquiry report be made public within three months and stringent action be taken against the erring police officials.

Besides, an amount of Rs 10 lakh each be paid as ex-gratia to the families of the two deceased, Rs 5 lakh to the injured persons and immediate steps be initiated to restore law and order in Ganjam district.

Earlier, addressing a rally, senior party leaders rejected the state government’s order for administrative inquiry into the Kodala incident by the revenue divisional commissioner. “The administrative inquiry cannot be fair as the chief minister and senior ministers are responsible for the explosive situation. Only judicial inquiry can unravel the truth,” they said.

“The general public revolted as the police remained silent against persons indulging in illegal liquor trade. The nexus between the Biju Janata Dal leaders with these bootleggers and liquor mafia has forced the police to become passive. It forced the public to agitate. But they were suppressed by police firing and two innocent people lost their lives,” alleged OPCC chief Patnaik.

“Kodala incident exposed misrule and deterioration in law and order in the entire state. Though chief minister Naveen Patnaik and four other ministers represent Ganjam district, the law and order situation has worsened in this district. People of the district were mute spectators to the burning of eight persons at Badagada under Seragada police station and killing of a police inspector in the chief minister’s own Assembly constituency in the recent past. If the life of a police officer is not safe here, who would provide security to the general public,” said the PCC chief.

The administration has no patience to hear the grievance of the public. The displeasure of the people has reflected in Kodala and it is spreading in other parts of Ganjam district, he said calling upon the party men to go to the grassroots and continue the party’s fight against BJD government’s misdeed and corruption.

Former union minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu demanded that the chief minister should visit Kodala to console the people. “Neither the CM nor any of his ministers have yet visited Kodala. Their visit to Kodala would definitely instil confidence among the public.”

The Opposition Congress today demanded resignation of chief minister, Naveen Patnaik over the Kodala incident, which exposed the deterioration in the law and order situation in his home district Ganjam.

'Naveen has no moral right to continue as he himself heads the Home department', said Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik while leading a protest demonstration here today. A party delegation, headed by him submitted a 4-point memorandum addressed to the Governor through the revenue divisional commissioner (southern division).

The party also sought a judicial inquiry into the July 15 Kodala police firing by a sitting judge of the High Court. Two persons had been killed and several injured in the police firing. The Opposition party also demanded that the inquiry report be made public within three months and stringent action be taken against the erring police officials.Besides, an amount of Rs.10 lakh be paid as ex-gratia to the families of the two deceased each and Rs. 5 lakh to the injured persons and immediate steps be intiated to restore law and order in Ganjam district.

Earlier, addressing a rally, senior party leaders rejected the Stategovernment's order for administrative inquiry into the Kodala incident by the revenue divisional commissioner. 'The administrative inquiry cannot be fair as the chief minister and senior ministers are responsible for the explosive situation.. Only judicial enquiry can unravel the truth', they said.

“The general public revolted as the police remained silent against some persons indulged in the illegal liquor trade. The nexus between the rulng Biju Janata Dal leaders with these bootleggers and liquor mafia has forced the police to become passive. It forced the public to agitate. But they were suppressed by police firing and two innocent people lost their lives”, alleged OPCC chief, Patnaik.

'Kodala incident exposed misrule and deterioration in law and order in the entire state. Though chief minister Naveen Patnaik and four other ministers represent Ganjam district, the law and order situation has worsened in this district. People of the district were the mute spectators to the burning of eight persons at Badagada under Seragada Police Station and killing of a police Inspector in the chief minister's own assembly constituency in the recent past. If the life of a police officer is not safe here, who would provide security to the general public”, questioned the PCC chief.

The district administration has failed in every respect to protect the life and property of the people here. The situation is out of control of the district administration. The administration has no patience to hear the grievance of the public. The displeasure of the people has reflected in Kodala and it is spreading in other parts of Ganjam district, he said calling upon the partymen to go to the grassroots and continue the party's fight against BJD government's misdeed and corruption.

Former union minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu demanded that the chief minister should visit Kodala to console the people. “Neither the CM nor any of his ministers have yet visited Kodala. Their visit to Kodala would definitely instill confidence among the public..