BJP’s Missing Zilla Parishad Candidate Traced In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Rina Kabasi

Malkangiri: The missing Zilla Parishad candidate of BJP for Zone-II in Kalimela block of the district, Rina Kabasi has been traced, police said on Tuesday night.

District Police Headquarters, in a release, stated that Rabi Shankar Patnaik, senior advocate and state coordinator, election control room and state legal convenor of BJP had on Tuesday filed a written complaint at Kalimela police station stating that the party’s Zilla Parishad candidate for Zone-II in Kalimela block, Rina Kabasi, had gone missing since Monday.

Kalimela police had registered a case and launched an investigation. The police came to know that her mobile phone was switched off since Monday.

However, at around 8 pm on Tuesday, the police traced Rina’s location and found her safe. The investigation ascertained that she had gone there on her own will and volition. No foul play regarding her absence was found in the case, the police claimed in the release.

The police also claimed that her family members had not filed any complaint that Rina was missing.

Earlier, the saffron party suspected the role of ruling BJD in Rina’s disappearance. “BJP enjoys a strong organisational base in Malkangiri. Perturbed by its strength, the BJD has resorted to abducting its candidates,” the party’s district spokesperson Shymal Sunani had said.

However, sub-collector Akshya Kumar Khemudu said 22-year-old Rina had withdrawn her nomination in panchayat polls on Sunday.

Also Read: Odisha Panchayat Polls: Spotlight On Kalimela Zone-2 Zilla Parishad Seat As BJP Candidate ‘Goes Missing’