Deogarh: The state BJP is observing a 12-hour bandh in Odisha’s Deogarh district on Monday in protest against the arrest of party MLA Subash Chandra Panigrahi. The BJP has also demanded the arrest of Tileibani BDO Krushnachandra Dalapati, who was allegedly thrashed by the MLA.
Movement of vehicles has been affected, and shops and businesses closed in view of the bandh. Emergency services and vehicles carrying students to exam centres have been excluded from the bandh.
The MLA was arrested after the BDO accused the legislator of thrashing him and filed an FIR. The MLA too has lodged an FIR alleging that the BDO misbehaved with him.
BJP workers led by three MLAs staged a demonstration in front of Deogarh police station on Sunday in protest against the arrest of Panigrahi. The MLAs — Kusum Tete, Mohan Majhi and Bhabani Bhoi — along with party workers raised slogans against the state government and demanded the arrest of Dalapati.
BJP leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also condemned the arrest of Panigrahi.
Panigrahi is in judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected on Sunday after he was produced in Deogarh court. While being taken to Deogarh following his arrest from his official quarters in Bhubaneswar, the MLA complained of uneasiness on the way and was admitted to the community health centre (CHC) at Chhatabar under Riamal block in the district.
However, police produced him in court along with two others after he recovered.
