Naveen Patnaik Seeks Immediate Release Of Naba Das’ Son & PRI Members Detained In Chhattisgarh

Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Friday wrote to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, regarding detention of former Odisha Minister Naba Das’ son Bishal Das and several Panchayat Raj representatives in the neighbouring state’s Mahasamund district.

Naveen termed the incident as disturbing. “…..Panchayat Raj representatives like sarpanchs and Panchayat Samiti members of Kirimira block in Jharsuguda district were detained by Chhattisgarh police in Sareipali police station in Mahasamund district,” he wrote.

The LoP mentioned that they were supposed to participate in a no-confidence motion this morning in the block premises at 10.30 am. “They could not attend the same as they are detained from yesterday midnight along with Bishal Das, son of a former cabinet minister in Odisha,” he further wrote.

He requested the Chhattisgarh CM to look into matter and get them released immediately. “…also ensure their safety and security while they travel to Odisha border. Many of those detained are women PRI members,” he added.

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Bishal, a BJD leader, along with several Samiti members and a village Sarpanch was taken into custody by Saraipali police late on Thursday. The matter came to the fore after a social media video surfaced in which Bishal was seen appealing to Odisha government and DGP to intervene and ensure their release. “We were detained just hours before the no-confidence voting. It seems to be a conspiracy against us,” said Bishal, whose hotel was searched on Thursday.

His sister and former BJD MLA from Jharsuguda Deepali Das alleged that they were detained without due legal procedure to sabotage the no-confidence motion.

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Chhattisgarh police have not yet cited the reasons for Bishal’s detention or any charges against him.