Bhubaneswar: With Odisha Assembly stalled for the entire day over police allegedly forcing women to remove their black stoles at a meeting of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Sundargarh, the CM today expressed displeasure over the incident and asked the DGP to probe the matter and ensure such incidents do not re-occur elsewhere in the state.
“The Chief Minister has expressed displeasure over the incident and has asked the Director General of Police to inquire into the matter. The CM has also told the DGP to ensure that such incidents do not take place in future,” state Home Secretary Asit Tripathy told reporters after a meeting with Patnaik.
DGP B K Singh, who was called to the meeting, said “He (CM) has instructed me to ensure that dignity of women is respected and not to repeat such incidents in future.”
Stating that the police would take all steps to prevent such incidents, Singh said “We will try to complete the inquiry very soon.”
Patnaik’s reaction on the matter came after the opposition Congress and BJP stalled proceeding of the state Assembly for the day demanding an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister.
The Opposition alleged the police forced women and girls to remove their black stoles and other black dress before entering the meeting venue attended by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Sundergarh district yesterday.
As soon as the House assembled for the day at 10.30 AM, the Opposition rushed to the Well shouting anti Patnaik slogans, disrupting proceeding and demanding apology from the Chief Minister.
The ruling BJD, however, said it was a security protocol and no women have lodged any complaint.