Cong demands Naveen’s resignation over killing of woman

Berhampur (Odisha), Aug 23 (PTI) Slamming the BJDregime in Odisha over killing of a woman for protesting aneve-teasing incident at Bhabarada in Ganjam, the Congresstoday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister NaveenPatnaik for failing save her from miscreants in his homedistrict. "Had the police taken prompt action, the innocentwoman could have been saved. The Chief Minister should resignon moral grounds," said President of Odisha Pradesh CongressCommittee’s women wing, Sasmita Behera after visiting thevillage. An eight-member team of the Mahaila Congress visitedthe village to take stock of the situation. Besides interacting with the family members of thedeceased woman, they also held discussion with the policeabout the incident. Kamala Swain (45) was beaten to death by miscreants onSunday evening after her husband had filed an FIR against fourpersons who had allegedly passed lewd comments against theirschool-going daughter. The family members staged a road blockade by lying thebody in front of Polasara police station demanding immediatearrest of the accused persons. The situation turned ugly whena mob set ablaze vehicles and damaged furniture of Polasarapolice station yesterday. "We came to know that the miscreants had passedcomments to one of the daughters of the deceased. The girlhas been going to a private school in nearby village for lastone year. The family members had complained about it to thepolice several times and even meet the SP (Ganjam). However,the police did not take action against the miscreants," Beheraalleged. "It appears someone, possibly a ruling party leader,is protecting the miscreants who are indulging in all theseanti-social activities," she said claiming, women in the statewere safe during the BJD regime as the police were toeing theline of the ruling party leaders. Under the circumstances, the CM, who holds the homeportfolio, should resign on moral grounds and dismiss thepolice personnel who failed to discharge their duty ofprotecting the woman, Behera added. SP (Ganjam) Asish Singh said raids were on to arrestthe accused persons. The situation in Polasara town where the mob hadattacked the police station yesterday in protest against thewoman’s killing was now normal, the police said. PTI COR SKNDKB