Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar, April 2: The Opposition today staged a walkout in the Odisha Assembly after the government rejected their demand for a CBI probe into the police firing at Kodala in Ganjam district that claimed two lives last Saturday.

Reacting to the judicial probe ordered by the government into the Kodala firing, the Opposition legislators said it was an “eyewash”. The Odisha government has ordered judicial probe into more than 20 incidents during the past 12 years. “But, the outcome of these inquiries is not known,” they said.

Responding to an Opposition-sponsored adjournment motion, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said there was no need for a CBI probe as he had already ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. “Strong action will be taken against those found guilty by the judicial commission,” he said. Naveen said police were compelled to fire in the air as a mob had attacked them while they had been to Phasipada village in the Kodala police station area on Saturday to rescue four persons, including a woman, detained by the villagers for suspected witchcraft.

“When the personnel were retreating after the rescue attempt, they were attacked by the mob once again. As the efforts to disperse the mob by lathicharge and bursting of tear gas shells failed, the police had to open fire in the air,” he said.

Two persons died in the police action, while 19 villagers and 36 police officials were injured in the clash, said Patnaik. A case had been registered and the inspector in charge of Kodala police station was suspended, he said.

“The Kodala incident was yet another instance of lawlessness in the state, especially in the chief minister’s home district,” said Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan.

“Everyday, three women are raped in the state, while four persons are killed daily on an average”, he said.

“During the present regime, even ministers and legislators are not secured, leave aside the common man,” said the Congress leader stating that panchayati raj minister Maheswar Mohanty was critically injured following an attack during the recent panchayat polls and BJD MLA Jhinna Hikaka was kidnapped by Maoists.

“If the government is really sincere, it should entrust the investigation to the CBI,” they said.

Countering the Opposition allegations, BJD member Pravat Tripathy and others said several firing incidents had taken place during the previous Congress regime.