Berhampur: The Silk City of Berhampur famous for its lustrous Ikkat silk sarees, has come to the limelight for not very good reasons. Ramlingam Tank Park, the only amusement park here seems to have become a hideout for partying.
The police on Thursday apprehended more than 20 BJP activists, including women, while allegedly trying to oppose a dinner party said to be hosted by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders.
A group of BJP workers tried to barge inside the park, which, incidentally was shut for the general public by the local administration. This led to a tussle between the police and the protesting BJP workers. They alleged this had been going in the park for the last several days.
Around 108 legislators of the ruling party are scheduled to visit the city by August 30 for the Smart School programme. After the party’s allegations, the state BJD president Ramesh Chau Patnaik said, “Parks like Ramlingam are rare in Odisha and as the MLAs are visiting the district, they are like guests to us and we have to treat them. It may cause inconvenience to people for 10 days, but we should not think about it. Therefore, they are given special treatment.”
Meanwhile, BJP members staged a protest at the Berhampur Municipal Corporation’s (BeMC) office in the Silk City on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner demanding the opening of the famous Ramlingam Park for the public immediately.
