Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) leaders were allegedly attacked by the supporters of local BJD legislators at Mangalpur bazaar, here on Friday. Although nobody was injured in the incident, the vehicles, hoardings and public address system of OJM were badly damaged.
As per an FIR filed with Mangalpur police by OJM general secretary Nanda Kishore Samal, around 70 supporters of Binjharpur MLA and former minister Pramila Mallik and Jajpur legislator Pranab Prakash Das prevented the OJM leaders from holding a public meeting at Mangalpur bazaar and also attacked their vehicles. “The BJD supporters came armed with lethal weapons to our meeting venue and prevented us from holding the meeting. They attacked our vehicles, damaged hoardings and public address system and abused us in filthy language,” said OJM general secretary Nanda Kishore Samal.
The OJM alleged that the police had been directed by the State Government to remain silent. “The BJD goons attacked our vehicles and damaged our property in presence of police on duty,” he said. OJM has launched Sampark Kranti Yatra across Odisha and it was its second day on Friday in Jajpur district. During the yatra, OJM vice-president Mihir Mohanty, general secretary Nanda Kishore Samal, Seshadev Patra were present.