Odisha Government Presents 2025 Crime White Paper in Assembly, Ignites Political Firestorm
The government of Odisha on Wednesday tabled the 'white paper 2025' on crime in the state legislative assembly, a move that immediately provoked sharp criticism from opposition parties, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress, who lambasted the deteriorating law and order situation. In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staunchly dismissed these allegations, portraying Odisha as a peaceful state under its administration.
Crime Statistics Reveal Mixed Trends with Overall Increase
According to the detailed white paper, Odisha registered a total of 2,29,881 cognizable offences in the year 2025, marking a notable rise from 2,14,113 cases recorded in 2024. This represents a 7.3% increase in overall crime across the state. The data presents a nuanced picture: while murder cases saw a marginal uptick from 1,258 to 1,304, a 3.6% rise, several serious crimes actually declined. Rape incidents decreased from 3,054 to 2,994, dacoity cases dipped slightly from 356 to 353, and robberies dropped more sharply from 2,582 to 1,802.
Opposition Leaders Condemn Government Over Law and Order Failures
BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera launched a scathing attack, arguing that the increase in crime figures reflects a worsening law and order scenario. He alleged that the government has suppressed crime reporting to artificially keep numbers low. "The government has deliberately not published the 2024 comparative data in the white paper while sharing the 2025 crime figures. However, a look at the 2024 white paper will show a rise in crimes," Behera asserted.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati linked the surge in criminal activities to rising unemployment, claiming that women and children remain particularly unsafe. He highlighted that incidents ranging from murder to child abduction have increased, alleging a complete collapse of law and order in the state.
BJP Defends White Paper Accuracy and Government's Zero-Tolerance Policy
Defending the government's stance, BJP MLA Saroj Kumar Padhi vouched for the accuracy and transparency of the white paper. "During the previous regimes, FIRs were not registered. Since June 2024, our government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward crime and criminals," Padhi stated, emphasizing proactive measures.
Another BJP MLA, Irasis Acharya, accused the opposition of making baseless allegations, asserting that Odisha is progressing due to a peaceful environment, swift action against criminals, and an improved conviction rate under the current administration.
Police Outline Enhanced Preventive Measures and Surveillance Strategies
Odisha police officials detailed that preventive measures have been significantly intensified to combat crime. These include the installation of CCTV cameras, rigorous vehicle inspections at checkpoints, night blocking operations, and close monitoring of suspicious activities. Surveillance has been strengthened along highways, with hotels, dhabas, and shops kept under constant watch to gather intelligence.
"Awareness campaigns are being organized to deter crime, while interstate information exchange ensures swift action against offenders. These measures are aimed at curbing organized crime networks and enhancing public safety across the state," a senior police officer explained, outlining the comprehensive strategy.
