Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday sought Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s intervention to ensure stringent action over alleged violent incident targeting party MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the BJD chief said he was concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, and sought Majhi’s intervention following an incident involving Athgarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain.
Naveen stated that he was writing with deep concern and grave anxiety regarding the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
He claimed there was high-handedness in Tigiria Block under Athagarh Assembly Constituency, where Swain was violently blocked, intimidated, and physically prevented by BJP-backed miscreants while he was on his way to attend the Tigiria Panchayat Samiti Meeting on May 22.
The LoP described the incident as a direct and malicious assault on the democratic framework. He said if elected public representatives are not safe from partisan hooliganism while performing their constitutional duties, the safety of ordinary citizens becomes highly precarious.
The BJD president urged the Chief Minister to take stringent action against the culprits and implement adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of every citizen of Odisha.
It may be noted that tension prevailed in Tigiria area of Cuttack district on Friday after bottles were allegedly “hurled at the vehicle of Swain near the block office square.
According to sources, a group of youths allegedly chased the legislator’s convoy with sticks, shouted slogans and staged a protest on the road while Swain was heading to attend a meeting at Tigiria Block office.
Police personnel present at the spot immediately intervened and escorted the MLA safely inside the Block office premises to prevent the situation from worsening.
Following the incident, supporters of the MLA gathered outside the Block office and staged a counter-protest condemning the alleged attack, the source concluded.
