Bhubaneswar, Dec. 24 -- The rape and murder of a minor girl in Chandbali of Bhadrak district has not only triggered public outrage but also intensified political confrontation in Odisha. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) squarely blamed the State government on Wednesday for the incident, alleging repeated failures of police machinery.

Chandbali MLA Byomakesh Ray accused the police of incompetence and claimed that such "heinous crimes" are occurring repeatedly due to "systemic lapses" in law enforcement. He held the state administration directly responsible for "failing to ensure public safety".

"Illegal activities such as liquor sale, ganja and drug peddling are carried out every day at the particular place where the incident has occurred. Police a...