Sambalpur: The BJP leaders, who were detained by police while they were going to violence-hit Sambalpur city on Tuesday, termed their detention illegal and politically motivated.
Speaking to mediapersons in the city after their release, the BJP leaders said though they had been granted permission by the district administration to visit the city, they were detained on direction of Chief Minister who was afraid of the party.
The BJP delegation comprising Union Minister Bisheswar Tudu, MPs Jual Oram and Suresh Pujari, MLAs Nauri Nayak, Shankar Oram and Kusum Tete and state BJP president Manmohan Samal and his predecessors Samir Mohanty and Basanta Panda were prevented from entering the strife-torn city.
The BJP leaders, who were part of the fact-finding team, were stopped by police near Sripura Chhak on Jharsuguda-Sambalpur border while on their way to review the situation in the city. Later, they were taken to the Thelkuli police station and detained there for violating Section 144 imposed in all six police station areas of Sambalpur since April 12.
Reacting to their detention, Pujari said, “While we had taken prior permission and were going when the curfew was relaxed, why the police detained us? They said the curfew is not relaxed for people’s representatives. The collector’s action is clearly illegal.”
“I will examine the collector’s order and if it amounts to a breach of privilege, I will move a motion in Parliament against it,” he added.
Union Minister Tudu said the decision to detain the BJP delegation was taken suddenly. The decision of the district administration is highly condemnable and those responsible for it should face stringent action, he added.
State BJP president Manmohan Samal said it was a panic decision of the government and was taken by the chief minister. “Naveen Patnaik is afraid of BJP’s rising popularity. The police have acted on his order only. It is the violation of fundamental rights of not only BJP leaders but also the common people,” he added.
The BJP leaders were going to meet those injured in the April 12 and April 15 violence, members of Hanuman Jayanti Samanwaya Samiti as well as the Revenue Divisional Commissioner.
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