Odisha CM shares experience of police misconduct during collectors’ conference

Bhubaneswar, Sept 27: During the Collectors’ Conference held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi shared an incident involving a police officer's disrespect towards him in Keonjhar. This event occurred just a few months before the 2024 elections.

Reflecting on the experience, CM Majhi explained that he had hurried to the location after learning that locals had blocked NH 20 due to drinking water shortages. He recounted visiting the police station to address the issue when the IIC abruptly told him to leave. “I wondered who had pressured the IIC to behave that way. Do candidates not have the right to enter a police station? He claimed I had no right to be there,” CM Majhi noted.

The Chief Minister indicated that this incident took place shortly before the BJP assumed power in the state. “With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I became the Chief Minister. I can only imagine the pressure on that IIC. I chose to forgive him, believing he acted under duress. Under the previous government, what was the definition of ‘Ama Thana’? A citizen should be treated with respect at the police station, and when someone comes to file an FIR, they should be directed to a senior officer for assistance,” he stated.

Additionally, CM Majhi addressed the illegal liquor trade, emphasizing the state government's firm stance against it. He instructed that enforcement actions must persist and assured that excise officials have been empowered in this regard.

He also highlighted that while 92 percent of farmers in Odisha are small or marginal, their income cannot improve without promoting poultry and other sectors. This requires departments to work together effectively. “Many projects stall due to a lack of inter-departmental coordination. I urge Collectors to conduct field visits to monitor the progress of schemes in schools, anganwadi centers, police stations, and hospitals, ensuring officials perform their duties diligently,” he added.