Former BJD MLA attacked during padyatra in Jajpur

Kendrapada: Tension erupted after armed miscreants attacked former BJD MLA Pranab Balabantaray and his convoy in the presence of police personnel at Madhupurgada village in Jenapur area of Jajpur district on Sunday. While Balabantaray escaped unhurt, his SUV was vandalised. The BJD supporters later staged a demonstration outside the office of the Jajpur superintendent of police (SP), demanding immediate arrest of those responsible.“We will arrest all the accused persons in this case. Security has been tightened in the area,“ said SP Yashpratap Shrimal.In his police complaint, Balabantaray accused Dharamasala’s BJP-backed independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo and his supporters of attacking him during the BJD’s Jan Sampark Padayatra.“Criminal activities are on the rise in Jajpur district because of the BJP-backed MLA and his goons. Videos show the hooliganism in front of the police personnel,” Balabantaray said. He requested the police to preserve and examine CCTV camera footage, mobile phone videos, photographs and other evidence, besides recovering the weapons and identify all people involved.When contacted, MLA Sahoo denied the charges and said the BJP never gives shelter to any criminals. “Our supporters are not involved in the incident. Let the police probe and find out the truth. Those involved should be arrested.“Gautam Ray, a senior BJP functionary, also denied the involvement of any party supporter in this case.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhubaneswar | Silver Rate in Bhubaneswar | Bank Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Public Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Petrol Price in Bhubaneswar | Diesel Price in Bhubaneswar | CNG Price in Bhubaneswar | LPG Price in BhubaneswarStay updated with the latest Bhubaneswar news. Download the TOI App.