Pre-Poll Violence In Puri, Nayagarh & Cuttack Ahead Of 3rd-Round Elections In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of third-round elections in six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly constituencies of Odisha on May 25, several people, including a minor, were reportedly injured in group clashes between BJP and BJD supporters in Nayagarh, Cuttack and Puri districts.

Khandapada In Nayagarh

Several BJP workers were injured on Friday after allegedly being attacked by BJD workers in Bhagawanpur under Bhapur block in Khandapada. The incident took place when BJD workers were allegedly distributing cash in the area. The saffron party supporters in their police complaint stated that they were threatened and chased by BJD workers with swords and pistols in their hands.

According to an FIR filed by one Sabita Sahu, BJD workers threatened them with pistols and swords when they said they would not vote for BJD. She has lodged a complaint against 11 people, including Pramod Sahu, the husband of the sarpanch, and Ramachandra Sahu.

In another police complaint, one Mohan Nanda alleged that BJD workers attacked them when they stopped them from distributing cash.

Following the complaints, police detained Pramod and Ramchandra. However, they were later released, leading to outrage in the locality.

Athagarh in Cuttack

In Athagarh of Cuttack district, more than five persons, including a minor, were injured at Harijan Sahi of Taradinka village when two groups clashed over distribution of money and intoxicants late on Thursday. Eyewitnesses said the clash erupted when someone commented on a political party.

Both groups started pelting stones at each other and a minor sustained critical injuries after being hit by a stone on his head. He was admitted to Athagarh sub-divisional hospital and later shifted to Shishu Bhawan in Cuttack.

Police forces have been deployed in the village.

Pipili In Puri

Three persons, including Mangalpur panchayat Samiti member Gadadhara Parida, were injured in an alleged attack by BJD workers at Subuddhipara under Sahajpur panchayat in Puri.

According to sources, some persons threw stones on the house of Adityaprasad Pani in Suhagapur village at around 11 pm on Thursday. Police was informed but as they were late in reaching the spot, BJP workers from neighbouring Mangalpur left for Sahajpur on bikes and were allegedly attacked by BJD supporters on their way.

Gadadhara suffered a fracture in his right leg while another person had a fracture in his hand. They were first admitted to Mangalpur Community Health Centre (CHC) and later shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Following the incident, Puri district BJP president Asit Patnaik and party workers gheraoed the police station and sat on a dharna. They withdrew the protest after a police complaint was filed at around 2:30 am.

Police have detained three persons and 15 platoons of force have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.

Pipili Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Birnachi Pati told the media that an FIR has been lodged and the accused will soon be arrested.