Bhubaneswar: Police on Saturday morning detained Odisha BJP Yuva Morcha president Irasis Acharya in Bhatli ahead of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Bargarh.
Police also picked up 12 BJP workers, including the party’s Krushak Morcha president, and five Congress workers, including its district party president, ahead of Naveen’s visit.
Police have made tight security arrangements after Opposition parties announced demonstrations during Naveen’s visit to Bijepur. Sources said 18 platoons of police force have been deployed.
In Bijepur, Naveen will distribute Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) Smart health cards, launching a programme under which 3.63 lakh Smart health cards will be distributed in 12 blocks of the district.
The BJP and Congress have been agitating across the state demanding justice in the Mamita Meher murder case and the dismissal of Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra.
On November 8, the CM launched BSKY Smart cards in Kalahandi district at a programme in Bhawanipatna, sharing the dais with Mishra, which has angered the Opposition parties, upset with Naveen’s silence on the issue and the continuance of the minister in the Cabinet.
The BJP and Congress have intensified protests, demanding the ouster of Mishra.
