Shocked over police removing stoles of women: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Amid ruckus in the Assembly over the removal of shawls of women during a rally in Sundargarh district, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that he was personally shocked at the incident.

“I strongly share the concern of this august House on the issue of security personnel removing black ‘Odhani’ of girls in a government programme in Sundergarh district on 4th of this month”, the Chief Minister informed the House.

“When I came to know, I was personally shocked,” the Chief Minister added.

“I called Home secretary and DGP and warned against such conduct which denigrates human dignity and warned against repetition. The DGP has been asked to conduct an inquiry into the matter and take appropriate action on the defaulting security personnel,” said Patnaik.

He said Inspector General of Police, western Range, Rourkela is already enquiring the incident.

Patnaik said his government is committed to preserve women’s dignity.

“My government is sensitive and fully committed towards empowerment and preserving the dignity of women. I am also against causing inconvenience to people while enforcing security protocol and had earlier directed police several times in this regard”, he informed the Assembly.

Earlier today, the BJP members created ruckus over the incident in the House after BJP member Radharani Panda was denied to speak.