Senior BJD legislator and former minister Ranendra Pratap Swain on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the ongoing violence in Malkangiri district and launched a scathing attack on the state government for its “inaction” during Zero Hour in the Odisha Assembly.
Raising the issue, Swain said, “Malkangiri is burning. The violence started from December 16 and the situation is fast turning into another Kandhamal. In Kandhamal today, Article 21 of the Constitution is in danger. A part of Odisha is on fire. Shall we just sit and watch? Odisha is a peace-loving state. Does the government want another Kandhamal to be created?”
He alleged complete breakdown of law and order in the district, with thousands of people fleeing their homes. “There is no law and order left. Thousands are migrating in fear. Do you want another Kandhamal?” he asked.
Swain pointed out that around 2.5 lakh tribals live in the affected areas and anyone speaking Bengali is being branded a Bangladeshi infiltrator. Drawing a parallel with Manipur, he said, “When Manipur was burning, the Centre remained silent. The same silence is being repeated here.”
Urging Speaker Surama Padhy to intervene, the BJD leader demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi immediately make a statement in the House on the current situation in Malkangiri and constitute a House committee to visit the disturbed areas and submit a report.
