Bhubaneswar: Continuing its protests demanding the resignation of Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra, the BJP is observing a 12-hour bandh on Thursday in Subarnapur and Nuapada districts.
The party has accused the minister of complicity in the Mamita Meher murder case and pressuring the Naveen Patnaik government to sack him and probe his role in the case. It has also sought a CBI probe into the case.
All shops, markets and government offices have been closed in view of the bandh, affecting normal life. BJP leaders and activists have also blocked major roads, affecting traffic. Party workers will also gherao the SP office in Boudh on Thursday.
A three-member BJP central team constituted to look into the murder, will visit the incident spot on Friday.
BJP national president J P Nadda has constituted the committee comprising MP Sunita Duggal, BJP Mahila Morcha’s national president Vanathi Srinivasan and MLA Rupa Mitra. The committee will submit its report to Nadda.
Congress’ Odisha in-charge A Chellakumar, who arrived in Odisha on Thursday, too will meet the family of Mamita Meher during his four-day visit to the state from October 28.
The BJP on Wednesday alleged that the Minister of State for Home was the main conspirator in the murder case and should be brought under investigation.
The party also said if the Chief Minister wanted to prove that his government was transparent and accountable to the people of Odisha, he should hand over the case to the CBI for a fair investigation.
Questioning the police investigation, the party alleged it was not being done properly and being deliberately delayed to shield the accused and allow them to destroy evidence. The party alleged this was being done to protect the influential people involved in the case so that the larger conspiracy behind the murder doesn’t come out in the open.
On Wednesday, BJP Yuva Morcha members gheraoed the Balasore SP office. Party activists led by Sundargarh MP Jual Oram took out a rally from Deogaon. They submitted a memorandum to Sundargarh SP seeking a CBI probe into the case.
Mamita (26), a teacher at Sunshine English Medium School at Mahaling in Kalahandi district, had gone missing on October 8. Her family members have alleged the involvement of Govind Sahu, president of the school managing committee. Opposition parties have alleged Dibya Shankar Mishra was close to Sahu.
During interrogation, Sahu allegedly revealed that he had murdered Mamita fearing that she might expose his extra-marital affair. Sahu is facing charges of killing Mamita, burning her body and burying the remains in an under-construction stadium on the school campus.
