Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 (PTI) Odisha’s opposition BJD on Wednesday sought the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on moral grounds over the alleged sexual harassment of a young tourist couple near Kapilash Temple in Dhenkanal district.
The party also constituted a team to ascertain the facts behind the incident.
“CM Mohan Charan Majhi, who is also in charge of the Home Department, should take moral responsibility and resign immediately. The Kapilash incident is one in a series of similar episodes in the state that took place after the BJP came to power,” Biju Mahila Janata Dal president Snehangini Chhuria told reporters here.
“Cases of crimes against women have also come to light from Gopalpur, Bali Harachandi, Dhauli, Rayagada and other places,” Chhuria claimed.
Former chairperson of the State Commission for Women (SCW), Minati Behera, alleged that incidents of crimes against women have significantly increased after the BJP formed government in Odisha.
“During the last two years, the number of tourists visiting Odisha has declined by nearly 12 per cent… because the BJP government has failed to provide security to women at tourist destinations across Odisha,” Behera asserted.
Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik constituted a 10-member team, including two women MLAs – Manorama Mohanty and Sujata Sahu – who will visit Kapilash and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to a statement issued by the party.
The team will also meet the Dhenkanal SP and submit a memorandum, it said.
The police have arrested three middle-aged men after the alleged victim lodged a complaint, and a video of their harassment went viral on social media. The incident took place on September 18 on an isolated stretch of a road leading to the famous Shiva temple atop the lush green Kapilash hills.
The viral video purportedly showed some people intercepting the bike-borne couple and assaulting the man, with the woman screaming for help.
PTI could not independently ascertain the veracity of the video.
The police have registered a case under various sections of the BNS for alleged sexual harassment, obscene act or song, and voluntarily causing hurt. PTI AAM NN AAM RBT
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