Odisha BJP, BJD Trade Charges Over Hyder Escape

Gangster Sheikh Hyder injured in police encounter near Balasore.

Bhubaneswar: The BJP and the BJD on Wednesday engaged in a tussle over the escape of dreaded gangster  Sheikh Hyder from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, with the former alleging a ‘conspiracy’ while the latter pooh-poohed it as an “unprofessional” accusation.

BJP leader and former Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra at a press meet alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the escape of Hyder.

“Hyder’s escape could not have been possible without the active collusion of police, jail and hospital officials,” he said, raising doubts over SCB authorities’ statement that Hyder had a kidney ailment. “If that is true, how come they allowed him to have biryani?” he asked, adding, “There is a need for a thorough investigation to
ascertain as to why and who referred him to SCB thrice.

BJD spokesperson Sulata Deo, in a tweet, responded to Mishra, stating that her party had compassion for the former DGP, who after the press briefing, told some officials that he was pressurized by the BJP to give such an “unprofessional” statement to the media.

When contacted for his comments on the BJD spokesperson’s tweet, Mishra rubbished the allegations and told Odisha Bytes there was no question of pressure. “I was never under pressure from any quarter, neither now nor during my entire career. I stick to my version,” he added.

Also Read: Escape Of Gangster Hyder: Ex-Odisha DGP Smells Big Conspiracy, Questions SCB & Police Role