Bhubaneswar: A day after BJD workers allegedly indulged in hooliganism in Ghasiupra Assembly segment, Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal said on Monday that appropriate action will be taken as a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy is being adopted towards violence.
“We are aware of the intensity of political rivalry in Ghasipura area,” the CEO said, adding that he spoke to the DGP on Sunday evening and steps are being taken to bring the situation under control in the area.
“I can assure you that we follow a zero- tolerance policy towards any violence.,” Dhal said.
All steps are being taken to ensure peaceful conduction of elections and no form of violence will be tolerated before, during and after the poll, he added.
Notably. BJD workers and supporters of ruling party candidate Badri Narayan Patra allegedly indulged in hooliganism in Ghasipura and halted the campaign vehicle of independent candidate Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Sunday.
It was alleged that the BJD supporters blocked the road and prevented Patnaik’s campaign vehicle from proceeding. They allegedly raised slogans, waved BJD flags, and used abusive language.