BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday told the State Assembly that his government had all along acted to uphold the rule of law and it was known for taking action against the guilty.

"The entire state knows that I have not spared anyone found guilty of any criminal act, howsoever important he may be. I do not shield any criminal or any criminal activity," Mr. Patnaik said.

`Stern action'

Replying to a special discussion on the law and order situation in the State, Mr. Patnaik further said his government would continue to take action against the guilty in the days to come.

The Chief Minister countered the Opposition criticism that he was protecting IPS officers facing various charges saying that he had always come down heavily on the person whenever any act of corruption or abuse of authority had come to his notice.

Observing that the Opposition legislators had tried to prove that the general law and order situation of the State had worsened by citing individual case, Mr. Patnaik said the facts, however, were just the reverse.

Cases come down

The number of murder cases had come down by 12.2 per cent this year compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, Mr. Patnaik said.

The number of dacoity cases had also come down by 11.1 per cent, he added.

Initiating the discussion on the issue earlier in the day, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra had squarely blamed the Naveen Patnaik Government for the `deteriorating' law and order situation in the State.

Mr. Mishra also alleged that the BJD-BJP government was protecting senior IPS officers, and using the police force for political gains.

Tender fixing

The government had referred the matter pertaining to the alleged nexus of suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Marik with criminals with a view to give protection to the officer, Mr. Mishra alleged.

The Congress leader further said that tender fixing was still in vogue across the State and the officials who were colliding with the contractors were never being taken to task.

Marathon discussion

A number of legislators belonging to the Opposition and the ruling alliance participated in the discussion that continued for several hours during the day.

While the Opposition leaders criticised the State government for the `deteriorating' law and order situation, the ruling alliance legislators countered the attack by saying that the government had given a free hand to the police and all criminals were being taken to task as per the law.

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