[Watch] Tudu ‘Assault’ Case: Odisha Govt Officials In Mayurbhanj Wear Black Badges In Protest

Mayurbhanj: All Odisha government officials in Mayurbhanj district wore black badges on Monday in protest against Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu, who allegedly assaulted two senior government officials last week.

The protesting officials, who plan to wear black badges for three days, said they would intensify their protest thereafter if no action was taken against the Union Minister.

On January 21, Tudu allegedly assaulted two government officials at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district. A case has been registered at Baripada Town police station. The Minister has refuted the allegations.

The two officials, District Planning Board Deputy Director Ashwini Mallik and Assistant Director Debashis Mohapatra, sustained injuries in the alleged assault. Mohapatra has fractured his arm.

In his reaction to the alleged attack, the Union Minister has termed it as false and baseless. “The officials had called to hold a review meeting with me. Since I was busy, the meeting could not be held and they went away,” Tudu said.