In the wake of a disturbing incident involving the alleged harassment and assault of a young tourist couple, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik has approved a high-level party delegation to visit Kapilash in Dhenkanal district.
The fact-finding mission aims to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and address growing concerns regarding visitor safety across key tourist and religious destinations in Odisha.
Fact-Finding Mission and Security Assessment
The 10-member delegation, led by Snehangini Chhuria, will visit Kapilash to hold formal discussions with the Superintendent of Police, Dhenkanal, and submit an official memorandum. Beyond evaluating the specific details of the assault, the team is tasked with assessing broader safety and security protocols, specifically focusing on the protection of women, youth, and families visiting major tourist landmarks in the state.
The team appointed by the BJD leadership comprises:
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Snehangini Chhuria (Team Lead)
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Manorama Mohanty, MLA
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Sujata Sahu, MLA
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Sumitra Jena
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Dr. Geeta Bastia
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Minati Behera
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Tilotama Choudhury
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Nrusingha Sahoo
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Abinash Samal
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Mahesh Sahoo
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Sudhir Samal
Upon concluding their field visit and consultations with local law enforcement, the team will draft a detailed report outlining their findings and recommendations, which will be submitted directly to Naveen Patnaik.
Growing Concerns Over Tourist Safety
The Kapilash incident has drawn significant public attention and raised wider questions regarding safety at public locations. The disturbance comes shortly after a similar reported case in Jamui, Bihar, where two Class 10 students were allegedly stopped and harassed by a group of youths on September 19 while returning from the Marwa Pahad area.
Reiterating its stance on public security, the Biju Janata Dal emphasised that religious shrines and tourist sites must remain safe, dignified, and accessible environments for all visitors. The party highlighted the necessity of swift investigative action, strict legal accountability, and robust preventive measures to ensure such occurrences are not repeated.
The BJD stressed that effective policing, enhanced security deployment, and prompt emergency response mechanisms are essential to ensuring that citizens and tourists—particularly women and young people—can travel throughout Odisha without fear.
