Naveen Raises Serious Concerns Over Law and Order, Writes to CM Majhi over Alleged Attack on BJD MLA

Bhubaneshwar: Biju Janata Dal President and Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Saturday raised serious concerns over the alleged deterioration of law and order in the state, writing to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and seeking immediate intervention in an incident involving BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain.

In his letter, Naveen alleged that Swain was blocked, threatened, and physically prevented from attending the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti meeting on May 22 by “BJP-backed miscreants” in Tigiria block under the Athagarh Assembly constituency.

Describing the episode as a “direct and malicious assault” on democratic values, Naveen said the incident reflects a disturbing decline in the state’s law and order situation.

“I am writing to you with a sense of deep concern and grave anxiety regarding the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation in our state. It has been brought to my attention through distressing ground reports – echoed widely in public forums and media reports regarding high-handedness in Tigiria Block under Athagarh Assembly Constituency, where the MLA Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain was violently blocked, intimidated, and physically prevented by BJP-backed miscreants (gundas) while he was on his way to attend the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti Meeting yesterday on 22.05.2026,” Naveen said.

LoP Naveen warned that when “partisan hooliganism” threatens the safety of elected leaders, the security of everyday citizens is also compromised.

“Such an act is not merely a localized political clash; it is a direct, malicious assault on our democratic framework. If the very leaders chosen by the public are not safe from partisan hooliganism while performing their constitutional responsibilities, the safety of the common citizen becomes highly precarious. Therefore, I urgently request your immediate intervention for stringent action against the culprits and to take adequate measures to ensure safety and security of every citizen of Odisha,” the BJD President stated.

Sharing the letter on X, Naveen reiterated that if elected representatives are becoming targets of “street-level thuggery” while performing official duties, it raises serious concerns over public safety and governance in the state.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene immediately, initiate strict action against the accused, and restore public confidence in the law-and-order machinery.