Naba Das murder:  Dharmendra Pradhan trains gun on Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday came down heavily on the Odisha government over the murder of Health Minister Naba Das and expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Pradhan said violence has no place in a democracy.

Speaking to media persons, the Union Minister said, “No one has the clue why a policeman killed a cabinet minister. The DGP is trying to run away from his duty by citing ‘Lord Jagannath could anticipate an incident such as the killing of a minister’.”

Pradhan said though a week has passed since the murder, it is yet to be ascertained why an on-duty police officer murdered a cabinet minister of the state government by firing at him from point blank range.

“The lawlessness is increasing in the state and the law and order situation has completely collapsed,” he alleged.

Citing the recent incident of attack on Balasore Sub-Collector Kunal Motiram Chavan and his driver, Pradhan said the sub-collector and his team were attacked by sand mafias in Balasore and the people in power are silent.

“Few days ago, a girl filed a complaint against a powerful MLA of the ruling party. However, the police didn’t register a case. Finding no other way, she moved to High Court,” the Minister said.

The Chief Minister is the Home Minister of the State. People of the state have voted him to power, he (CM) should be aware of his duties, the Union Minister said.