Bhubaneswar: The police on Tuesday detained several BJP leaders while they were taking out a rally to gherao chief minister’s residence in the city in protest against state government’s inaction on Mamita Meher murder case.
Hundreds of BJP workers including women started their march towards the chief minister’s residence Naveen Nivas from Raj Mahal square as a protest on the issue. They raised slogans against the government for its failure to ensure security of women and protecting minister Dibya Shankar Mishra, accused in the case of murder of schoolteacher Mamita Meher in Kalahandi district.
As they reached Sishu Bhawan Square, the police stopped them and a scuffle ensued between the protestors and the cops. The police also detained state spokesperson of BJP Lekhasri Samantsinghar and district president Babu Singh from the spot.
At the same time, a group of BJP activists staged a dharna on the road on the issue. They said though four months have passed since Mamita’s murder, the government has failed to take any action while protecting the accused.
Speaking to the media, Lekhasri said while minister Mishra has not been arrested yet, the police are yet to file chargesheet against prime accused Govind Sahu.
It may be noted that the burnt remains of 24-year-old Mamita were found from the under-construction stadium of the Sunshine English Medium School at Mahaling in Kalahandi district where she was working in October last year.
After Mamita went missing, her family had filed a police complaint on October 8. They alleged involvement of Govind Sahu, who was the management committee president of the school. Later, Govind was arrested and Mamita’s body exhumed by the police.
