Panchayat Polls: 3 Injured In BJP-BJD Clash Over Campaigning In Odisha’s Bhadrak

Bhadrak: Three persons were injured in a clash between the supporters of BJP and BJD over campaigning during panchayat elections in the district on Saturday.

According to sources, the incident took place in Bahadia village under Bhuinbruti panchayat when the activists of the two parties arrived for campaigning in support of their respective candidates in the elections.

Initially, the two groups were engaged in verbal duel over campaigning in the village. As heated exchange of words escalated, they started attacking each other. In the violent group clash, two BJP workers and a BJD activist sustained injuries and were admitted in Chandbali hospital.

Later, both parties lodged complaint against each other at Chandbali police station. The police have started investigation after registering the cases. Police have been deployed in Bahadia to maintain law and order.

Speaking to the media, Akshay Das, one of the injured BJP workers, said present sarpanch of BJD has unleashed a reign of terror in the panchayat. “The BJD workers attacked us in the presence of the sarpanch. The local people are in a state of panic due to the threat of the sarpanch,” he added.