BJD demands steps to ensure women safety

Bhubaneswar: Alleging a surge in sexual violence against women in the capital city, the opposition BJD on Monday accused the police of inefficiency and demanded stronger measures to ensure safety.A delegation of BJD’s women members met DCP Jagmohan Meena and submitted a memorandum highlighting recent incidents. The move came a day after BJD president and former CM Naveen Patnaik criticised the police over two disturbing cases involving the gang rape of a Plus II student by five men in front of her male friend, and the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old aspiring data entry operator by two men.The memorandum underscored these cases along with several others, warning of a “deeply worrying pattern” of rising crimes against women and children in Bhubaneswar. “We demand prompt, victim-centric investigations in all recent cases of sexual violence,” the memorandum stated.Police maintained that swift action was taken in all cases. “Women’s safety is a priority for us. In every reported case, perpetrators were promptly arrested. All police stations have been instructed to give top priority to such crimes, and patrolling has been intensified in vulnerable areas,” a senior officer said.