Bhubaneswar (Special Correspondent, The Fact Bureau): Taking a stern stance against lawlessness, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday chaired a high-level emergency review meeting to address the state’s security apparatus following the horrific murder of GRP Constable Saumya Ranjan Swain.
The Constable was reportedly killed during an illegal “Kangaroo Court” session in Balipatna, an incident that has sparked national outrage and highlighted the urgency of police reform in Odisha.
The high-stakes meeting, held at the State Secretariat, saw the participation of the state’s top brass, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), the Police Commissioner, and the Bhubaneswar DCP.
Zero Tolerance and Accountability
In a move that signals a departure from past administrative leniency, CM Majhi issued a clear mandate of “Zero Tolerance” toward criminal elements. Sources within the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) indicate that the CM expressed deep displeasure over the existence of extra-judicial settlements and has ordered an immediate and total crackdown on illegal ‘Kangaroo Courts’ across the state.
“The rule of law must prevail in every corner of Odisha, from our cities to our furthest villages,” the Chief Minister reportedly told officials.
To ensure this, he has directed the police to fix strict accountability on local officers. If illegal parallel judicial systems are found operating within a police station’s jurisdiction, the concerned officers will be held personally responsible for the oversight.
Five-Point Directive for a Safer Odisha
During the review, the Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive five-point strategy to restore public confidence and modernize the state’s response to violent crime:
Eradication of Parallel Courts:
Immediate identification and dismantling of groups or individuals organizing ‘Kangaroo Courts.’
Intelligence and Rural Vigilance:
Strengthening of grassroots intelligence networks and a significant increase in rural patrolling to prevent local disputes from escalating into violence.
Fixing Police Accountability:
A clear message that negligence or failure to act against known criminals will result in departmental action against police personnel.
Fast-Track Justice:
The state will push for the fast-track trial of serious offenses, particularly those involving attacks on law enforcement and crimes against women, to ensure swift punishment serves as a deterrent.
Aggressive Criminal Crackdown:
A statewide directive to proactive police forces to hunt down absconding criminals and disrupt organized crime syndicates.
A Commitment to Reform
The murder of Constable Saumya Ranjan Swain has become a catalyst for the Mohan Majhi government to accelerate its law-and-order reforms. By emphasizing transparency and the registration of every crime, the current administration is working to dismantle the “culture of silence” that allegedly shielded criminals in previous years.
Following the CM’s directives, the DGP has reportedly instructed all district superintendents to implement these measures with immediate effect.
The government has also signaled that surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV and digital reporting, will be further bolstered to support the police in their mission to provide a “Fear-Free Odisha.”
