Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Jayadev Jena on Wednesday alleged that he has received a death threat from an unidentified person over the phone.
The incident comes close on the heels of a robbery at the residence of another former OPCC president and ex-Minister Niranjan Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.
Jena told reporters the unidentified caller has demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh and warned that inability to pay the amount would lead to dire consequences.
Stating that he has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to the threat call, the senor Congress a formal complaint has also been lodged at the Capital Police Station in Bhubaneswar in connection with the threat call.
Claiming that he received the phone call after returning from a press conference, he said the caller warned that my life was at risk and demanded Rs 50 lakh.
“The caller, who was speaking in Odia, asked me to send Rs 50,000 if I am unable to arrange so much cash,” Jena claimed, adding that the caller even threatened that failure to pay the money may lead to death.
Based on the complaint lodged by the Congress leader, police officials have launched an investigation to trace the call.
Expressing concern over his safety and security following the threat call, the former PCC chief said law and order situation has deteriorated in the state.
