Bhadrak: Two police officers were reportedly injured in stone pelting during the BJP’s gherao of a block office in Odisha’s Bhadrak district in protest against corruption in the state government’s various schemes on Friday.
According to sources, hundreds of BJP workers, led by state president Manmohan Samal, took out a massive rally from Kali temple at Chandbali in the district and went around the town before reaching the block office.
They staged a demonstration before Chandbali block office, raising slogans against the government on rampant corruption in housing scheme, payment of pension and distribution of PDS items among beneficiaries.
During the demonstration, the BJP workers tried to enter the block office breaking the barricade put up by the administration. As the police deployed there tried to stop them, a scuffle ensued.
Even as the scuffle was going on, stones were pelted at the police. Some BJP workers allegedly entered the office premises and damaged the furniture, glasses and CCTV camera. Chandbali sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Debishankar Pratap and IIC were injured in the stone pelting.
Later, Samal told the media persons that the BJD was responsible for the violence. Stating that it was a deliberate plan of the ruling party to tarnish the image of BJP, he said, “The police had not taken adequate measures to maintain law and order on the instruction from BJD. It’s a plan to blame us.”
On the other hand, the SDPO said stern steps would be taken against those responsible for the incident. Though he did not identify who resorted to stone-pelting, he said, “The police deployed at the block office were trying to prevent the agitators from entering the premises when the stone-pelting started. The inspector-in-charge (IIC) and some others suffered injuries. We will take necessary action those found responsible for it.”
