Balangir: Two persons, identified as Vicky Chhatria and Biju Haripal, have been detained in connection with the attack on Loisingha MLA Mukesh Mahaling’s car on Tuesday.
Mahaling had a close shave when miscreants attacked his car at Burda Square on NH 26 in Odisha’s Balangir district. His driver and PSO were injured in the incident.
According to sources, two miscreants on a motorcycle intercepted the MLA’s car when he was returning to his village after attending a programme at Badibahal. As they created a nuisance by parking the vehicle in front of the MLA’s car, his driver and personal security officer (PSO) reprimanded them. Following this, the two youths allegedly assaulted the driver and the PSO after dragging them out of the vehicle. They also pelted the vehicle with stones.
The MLA said that the incident took place when he was returning after attending an inauguration programme. “When my PSO asked the duo to remove their bike, they attacked him. When my driver went to his rescue, he too was attacked,” he said.
His driver and PSO have been admitted to Loisingha hospital.
“It is an unfortunate incident. I have no personal enmity and this could be the fallout of some political rivalry. But it is too early to comment on it now. I have informed the local police and they are probing the incident,” he added.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty have condemned the incident. “I hope police would take strict action against those involved in the incident,” Dharmendra said.
