Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJP and Governing BJD once again locked horns over arrest of Deogarh legislator Subash Panigrahi. BJP leaders are angry over arrest of their legislator.
Subash was arrested on Sunday by Deogarh police for allegedly thrashing Tileibani BDO Krushnachandra Dalapati.
After Panigrahi complained of illness on the way to Deogarh, he was admitted to the Chhatabara Community Health Centre (CHC).
He underwent treatment at the CHC and later shifted to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Deogarh.
Later, the MLA along with his two associates Akalu Dhal and Kumarmani Sahoo was produced in the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court.
The BJP on Monday observed a 12-hour Bandh and held demonstrations in Bhubaneswar. The BJP supporters resorted to picketing and road blockade in Deogarh during the bandh from 6 AM to 6 PM.
While vehicular movement was affected due to the bandh, shops and business establishments remained closed in the district.
However, emergency services and vehicles carrying students for examinations were excluded from the ambit of the bandh.
The BJP is demanding the arrest of Tileibani BDO accusing him of misbehaving with the Deogarh MLA.
Yesterday, BJP lawmakers Kusum Tete, Mohan Majhi and Bhabani Bhoi along with party workers staged protest in front of the Deogarh police station. Former Kuchinda MLA Rabi Naik also took part in the agitation.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also strongly reacted to the arrest of the Deogarh MLA and said some officials are trying to muzzle the voice of the Opposition party.
“Instead of rectifying their working styles, some officials are using the law to suppress the voices of the Opposition leaders which is dangerous for democracy,” he said in a tweet.
BJP MLA Ms,Tete described the arrest as unfortunate and asked why the police had not taken any action on the FIR filed by the MLA prior to the FIR lodged by the BDO. “If there was a verbal dual in between the MLA and the BDO, what is new thing on this? Such incidents happened several times. That means, we the public representatives cannot raise any question to officers?” she further asked.
Speaking to the media, Panigrahi alleged that police had falsely registered a case against him and arrested him on behalf of the BJD. “As I have raised the farmers’ issue in the Assembly and stalled the House for several days, the BJD is taking revenge on me with this arrest,” alleged the BJP lawmaker.
On the other hand, BJD MLA Aswini Patra refuted the allegation of BJP stating these statements are false and fabricated, and they are doing so to gain political mileage.
Deogarh Congress Committee members have also staged protest in Deogarh and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Collector demanding removal of Panigrahi from MLA position.
Meanwhile, a delegation of OAS Officers association met the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home demanding arrest of other persons, who were involved in the assault case.
Jyoti Ranjan Mishra, Secretary of the Association said they also requested the government to provide protection of the officers and take action against other involved persons in this case.