BJP bandh shuts down Dhenkanal

BJP leaders demand Steel Minister’s scalp for party supporter’s murder
BJP leaders staging a protest during the bandh in Dhenkanal on Monday | Express
BJP leaders staging a protest during the bandh in Dhenkanal on Monday | Express

DHENKANAL: The BJP on Monday observed Dhenkanal bandh protesting the murder of BJP activist Salman Rout in Tarabha village. They also demanded immediate sacking of local BJD MLA and Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick in connection with the murder.
The BJP leaders alleged that names of Mallik’s supporters figure in the FIR lodged by Salman’s father Himansu in the murder case. Salman’s father had alleged involvement of Sadar block chairman Hrudananda Biswal, who is closely associated with Mallick. Hrudananda is absconding after the murder. The BJP also demanded that Mallick’s call records must be investigated. As part of the bandh, BJP leaders and workers took out rally and staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate, district court and  other Government offices criticising Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government and Mallick.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement came to a standstill in Dhenkanal town and business establishments downed their  shutters in response to the bandh call. All private and Government schools also remained closed for the day while police detained 63 BJP activists including
former MP Rudra Narayan Pany while they were protesting on the streets. The others who were detained at Police Community Centre  are former MLA and Odisha BJP unit OBC cell chief Krushna Chandra Patra, Dhenkanal Municipality Chairman Sudhansu Dalei and former chairman Sunil Sharma.
Sensing trouble, additional force had been deployed in several parts of the town. The district administration also pressed five platoons of police force into service at Tarabha village where prohibitory orders are in force. “The police are investigating the incident and one person has been arrested. Required number of force has been deployed. The situation is gradually improving,” Dhenkanal SP Basant Kumar Panigrahi said.

The prohibitory orders will be in place at Tarabha for two more days  and only after assessment of law and order, it will be called off, said police. Election campaign has been stopped for the last three days. .
On Saturday evening, a group of BJD supporters led by one Byomkesh Biswal opened fire at Salman in the presence of Sadar block vice-chairman after arguments over poll related issues. Salman was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital where he was declared brought dead. Byomokesh, a jawan of Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP), was identified as the prime accused in the  murder case and arrested on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mallick rubbished the allegations of BJP leaders and added that Opposition is dragging him into controversy and trying to mislead the voters ahead of the panchayat elections. Mallick said, “I came to know about the incident through media on Saturday. Through other sources, I learnt that the accused and victim had previous enmity and it is known to the villagers. Motive behind the murder will come out once the investigation is over. I am ready to face any inquiry.”

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