Odisha: Sabitri Lost Husband, But Didn’t Lose Faith In Democracy; Casts Vote After Husband’s Murder

Berhampur, May 21: An Odisha woman, whose husband was hacked to death on May 15 in a poll violence case, has set an example of highest order as she cast her vote on Monday, as the family grieved the irreparable loss.

Sabitri Pahan, wife of Dillip Pahan, exercised her franchise at the Srikrushnasaranpur polling booth under Khallikote assembly segment in Ganjam district.

Dillip, a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was hacked to death allegedly by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supporters on May 15. As many as 10 accused have been arrested in the case so far.

The accused allegedly killed Dillip as he quit the BJD and joined the BJP a few days ago.

Concealing all the sorrows in her heart, Sabitri and other family members of Dillip came to Polling Booth 71 and exercised their franchise during the second phase of elections on Monday.

Pahan's wife said that she has no faith in the Naveen Patnaik government.

“I came to the booth to seek justice for my husband. Police protection is so good that nobody wants to visit our house. People are threatened with the fate of my husband. My husband needs justice at any cost,” she bemoaned.

She added that for the first time, she cast her vote in the 2024 elections. “I have no faith in this state government. This government will be overthrown. Police are not trustworthy.”

As for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe ordered by the state government, one of the family members said, "We have no faith in this probe. The main accused has not been arrested as yet. We demand a probe by a Central agency. I appeal to the

Central government for a CBI probe into the murder. All those involved in the murder should be hanged.”
Another member of the family asserted that about 40 people were involved in the murder.