BJP Raises Paralakhemundi ACF’s Death Case In Odisha Assembly, Demands Expeditious Probe

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Tuesday demanded raised the death case of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra in the State Assembly and demanded the probe to be expedited.

Drawing the attention of the Speaker during zero hour to the matter, Paralakhemundi MLA K Narayan Rao said while nearly two months have passed since the death of the ACF, there has been no breakthrough in the case till date.

“While the investigation by the local police for about a month failed to identify the accused, the Crime Branch is yet to make any breakthrough after taking up the case since August 14. Although the family members of the deceased ACF have lodged complaints against Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, cook Manmath Kumbha and ACF’s wife Bidyabharati Panda, no action has been taken against them,” Rao said and demanded an expeditious probe into the sensitive case.

Maintaining that there is rampant smuggling of sandalwood from Gajapati district to Chennai and Andhra Pradesh with the knowledge of the Gajapati DFO, Rao said there is growing resentment among the people of Paralakhemundi against the DFO and demanded necessary action against him soon.