Naveen Patnaik Urges Citizens to Uphold Peace in Odisha Amidst Unrest

Leader of the opposition in the Odisha assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday urged citizens to uphold peace and harmony amid allegations of atrocities against certain groups. In an X post, Patnaik highlighted Odisha's long-standing tradition of communal harmony. He expressed sadness over attacks and discrimination faced by some citizens.

Appeal for Peace

Patnaik called on all communities to protect Odisha's image and dignity by maintaining law and order. He stressed the importance of ensuring the security of people's property and lives. The former chief minister also urged government officials to take necessary steps to safeguard all citizens.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently requested Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to investigate alleged assaults on labourers from West Bengal. In response, Odisha’s Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order, Sanjay Kumar, acknowledged a stray incident involving identity checks on a particular group.

Kumar stated that two days ago, some individuals were seen asking members of a specific group to show their identity cards to verify if they were from Bangladesh. He described the incident as unwarranted and assured that no major incidents had occurred following political turmoil in Bangladesh.

Police Vigilance

Kumar mentioned that there were concerns about Bangladeshi infiltrators entering Odisha via the sea route, but no such incidents were reported. The coast was on high alert. Referring to recent tensions in Bhadrak, where some individuals were detained and asked to prove their credentials, Kumar said the police intervened and resolved the matter.

The ADG emphasised that nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He assured strict action against those who do so. Kumar also urged people with information about any foreign nationals staying illegally to inform the police for appropriate action.

The police are on high alert and taking precautions for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Kumar stressed that there should be no negative impact of the Bangladesh issue on Indian soil.

Patnaik reiterated his appeal for peace, urging everyone to work together for a harmonious state. He emphasised that maintaining law and order is crucial for Odisha's reputation as a peaceful state.