Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) urged the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to take action regarding the alarming increase in child abuse incidents in the state, as well as the worsening law and order situation, particularly in Ganjam district.

A BJD delegation presented a memorandum to the OHRC, expressing serious concerns about child abuse and referencing the recent tragic case of a 4-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Ganjam.

The day before, a BJD fact-finding team visited the victim's village to show support to the grieving family.

The memorandum stated, "This heartbreaking incident is not an isolated case. Since the BJP government took office, there has been a notable rise in child abductions, torture, sexual harassment, and murders throughout Odisha. The police's inability to control this surge in crime has created a climate of fear and insecurity among the public."

The delegation also provided the OHRC with statistics indicating a significant breakdown of law and order in Ganjam over the past month, reporting 15 murders, 28 attempted murders, and 35 thefts from temples.

The BJD highlighted a particularly alarming increase in cases of rape involving minors, not only in Ganjam but across the state, indicating a severe decline in public safety and an urgent need for systemic reforms.

The party called for immediate action from the OHRC to tackle the escalating cases of child sexual abuse and the prevailing lawlessness in Odisha. They proposed the establishment of a high-level expert committee, mandatory parent-teacher meetings focused on child safety, the use of Anganwadi centers as safe daycare facilities year-round, and the incorporation of sex education and gender sensitivity into school curricula.

The memorandum concluded with a plea for the OHRC to recognize this crisis and take decisive action to safeguard the rights and lives of children in Odisha. The BJD expressed its commitment to collaborating with the commission and all relevant stakeholders to ensure justice and prevent future tragedies.