Sambalpur Violence: Odisha Govt Ignored Intelligence Report, Claims BJP

Jharsuguda: Mounting a stinging attack on Odisha’s BJD government over Sambalpur violence, senior BJP leaders on Wednesday alleged that arson took place due to its inefficiency, vote bank politics and failure to act on intelligence inputs.

Addressing a press meet at Jharsuguda, BJP leaders held the Naveen Patnaik government responsible for tension prevailing in the western Odisha city after violence erupted on April 12 during Hanuman Mahotsav celebrations.

A host of saffron stalwarts including state BJP president Manmohan Samal, BJP MPs Suresh Pujari, Basant Panda & Jual Oram, and former state party chief Samir Mohanty were present.

Alleging that violent incidents took place as the state government  ignored intelligence reports, Samal said the BJD government should admit that it has failed to protect the people as it had failed to provide security to its own minister.

Stating that the violence during bike rally in Sambalpur could have been prevented if the government had taken some precautionary measures, he said Sambalpur SP has also stated that the violence was pre-planned, but there is no effort to find out as to who had planned these incidents.

Asking the state government to take steps to identify those behind the stone throwing incident, the state BJP chief said the party will not tolerate such appeasement policy.