Odisha Govt Responsible For Sambalpur Violence As It Ignored Intelligence Warning; Claims Opposition

Bhubaneswar: Holding Odisha’s BJD government responsible for recent violence in Sambalpur, opposition BJP and Congress on Sunday accused it of having failed to take preventive measures despite warning by intelligence wing.

Leaders of opposition parties came down heavily on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is in-charge of Home department, after reports revealed that intelligence officials had warned about tension in Sambalpur ahead of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

In a stinging attack on the ruling BJD, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said Naveen Patnaik, who holds Home portfolio, is fully responsible for Sambalpur violence as he ignored the intelligence warning on April 11.

Sambalpur violence on April 12 and 14 could have been avoided had the government taken preventive steps after intelligence report suggested police to remain alert, he said.

Stating that the SP termed the violence as pre-planned, Samal sought to know as to why police failed to manage the situation despite warning by the intelligence agency and also an advisory by the Central government. The state could also have sought the Centre’s help for deployment of central forces in sensitive areas of Sambalpur to prevent trouble, he said.

The senior BJP leader also demanded a CBI probe into the whole episode to ascertain the reason behind inaction by police and government. The state government should also bring out a ‘white paper’ on the matter to enable people to know the truth, he said.

Attacking the state government in same vein, BJP MP from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi claimed that Naveen Patnaik government failed to take preventive measures and punitive action in Sambalpur.

Claiming that people are in a state of fear under the BJD rule, she said law and order machinery has collapsed in the state.

Congress, on the other hand, held both the state and the Central governments responsible for Sambalpur violence.

State Congress spokesperson Nishikanta Mishra said it is clear that the police and the state government failed to take the intelligence warning seriously.

Similarly, the Central government issued the advisory and forgot its role as it never tried to follow up to see if the advisories were followed or not, he said.

Dismissing opposition allegations, senior BJD leader and former Minister Sashi Bhuahshan Behera said law and order situation in the state is fully under control in Odisha, which is known for harmony among all communities.

The intelligence report from the Special Branch had stated that in view of recent communal tension in different parts of the country, law and order situation may not be ruled out during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Sambalpur.

It also requested to remain extremely alert to the developing situations and necessary security measures/ adequate precautionary measures as deemed proper may be taken to maintain Law and Order and communal harmony during the observance of these festivals.