SALEPUR: School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena was attacked by a group of miscreants during an election rally in Katarapada village under Nischintakoili block.
After assaulting the Minister’s driver severely, the Congress-backed men detained his car. More than six persons have been injured in the tussle between BJD and Congress. According to sources, Jena accompanied by ZP candidate Rekha Rani Samantray was going in a workers’ rally when the group, standing along the road, demanded a stop to the campaign. Though the Minister was escorted to safety, a clash erupted between BJD and Congress workers. More than six persons, including Minister’s driver Purusottam Rout, were injured in the clash.
Salepur SDPO RP Behera, Nischintakoili Tehasildar NC Mahanty and police station Inspector-in-charge BK Aich rushed to the spot with force.
On the other hand, one Dibakar Samal of Katarapada filed an FIR alleging that he along with some locals was going to garland the Minister when they were attacked and misbehaved.
SIBLINGS ATTACKED: Two persons were injured in a pre-poll violence at Kanhupur village under Mahanga block on Sunday. Police said some supporters of BJD ZP candidate Ratnakar Sahoo and Sarapanch candidate Jamuna Samal allegedly attacked Biranchi Panda and his brother Kailash.
The brothers, Congress supporters, were campaigning for their sarpanch candidate Saraswati Behera when they were attacked. The BJD men also allegedly set afire Behera’s election arch at Apilo and removed all her banners from four villages.
The injured siblings have been admitted to Mahanga CHC and two FIRs have been lodged by both the parties with Mahanga police.