KENDRAPARA: Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram was on Wednesday attacked by eggs and shown black flags by BJD and Congress activists respectively, in Kendrapara district where he attended the Sabka Sath Sabka Vikash event.
Over a hundred people were detained for waving black flags at Jual Oram, in the second incident.
In the first incident, sources said BJD activists threw at least three eggs at Jual Oram’s vehicle when he was on his way to Rajkanika to attend the programme organised to mark the NDA government's achievements on completing three-years at the Centre.
Meanwhile, Congress workers protesting the Mandsaur police firing and the Centre’s negligence towards the state waved black flags at the minister at Aul.
Congress MLA from Aul Debendra Sharma and several supporters were detained. Sharma alleged that the NDA Government has failed to deliver what they had promised. “We will continue to oppose the union ministers wherever they go,” he warned.
BJP leaders, however, blamed police for the incident. Former BJP district president Gyanadeb Beura said police had turned mute spectators and handled things very casually.
“Had they stopped the protesters and prevented them from going close to the minister, it could have been avoided,” he said.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the anti-Adivasi mindset of the BJD who have thrown eggs on me in Kendrapara,” Oram tweeted.
Frequent egg attacks on ministers and senior politicians visiting Odisha have raised serious questions on VIP security.
A few days ago Youth Congress activists egged the carcade of union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh in front of the state guest house.
Similarly, BJD MP Baijayant Panda was attacked with eggs and stones on May 30 by his own supporters in Odisha.