Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi Says Illegal Money Lending Led To Group Clash At Padmakesharipur

Bhubaneswar: A day after police conducted a meeting at violence-hit Padmakesharipur to restore normalcy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Monday lashed out at the Odisha government over the group clash at the village on the city outskirts.

Mounting a scathing attack on the government, Aparajita alleged that the clash that has created an ‘atmosphere of fear’ in the area was the outcome of illegal money lending.

Claiming that many families have lost everything to the chit fund scam, she said it has led the illegal money lenders to thrive in those areas under the patronage of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders.

Illegal money lending activities are going on in many parts of the state including Padmakesharipur in the state capital in violation of the Odisha Money Lenders Act 1939, the BJP MP claimed.

Stating that the police have arrested 155 people, including 54 women, from that area in the last three months, she said their family members now fear for their lives. However, the money lenders are roaming scot-free on Bhubaneswar streets after violating law, the firebrand BJP leader alleged.

Notably, the parliamentarian had written a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday seeking his immediate intervention to restore normalcy at Padmakesharipur village. In her letter, she urged the CM to find out the reason behind the clash and form a peace committee at the earliest to restore normalcy in the village. She further claimed that only a handful of women and children are currently residing in the now-deserted village in a state of panic.

Following this, the Commissionerate Police conducted a meeting in the area on Sunday in a bid to restore peace and normalcy. DCP Prateek Singh and additional DCP Prakash Chandra Pal along with ACP, Zone-5, Bhubaneswar and IIC of Mancheswar police station interacted with people from Majhisahi and Talasahi of Padmakesharipur, who assured to maintain cordial environment.

Local representatives, corporators, as well as neighbouring sarpanchs with peace committee members were also present.