BJD demands before SEC for arrest of Manmohan Samal over party supporter’s murder

Bhubaneswar: A team of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) demanded before the State Election Commission (SEC) today immediate arrest of BJP leader and former Minister Manmohan Samal and his supporters. Accusing Samal and some BJP workers of hatching a conspiracy for the murder of a youth and BJD activist from Jahangir area of Dhamnagar in Bhadrak district, Pratap Chandra Rout on Monday, the ruling party delegation stated in a memorandum that the Odisha BJP has been unleashing electoral violence in the State.

The eight-member BJD team also drew the attention of the SEC claiming that the Odisha BJP is losing the Panchayat Elections badly to the ruling BJD. As the State BJP has sensed what would be the panchayat poll outcome, it has unleashed massive, murderous electoral violence in the State against BJD candidates, its supporters, citizens and Government officials.

Yesterday, tension erupted in the Jahangir area with a face-off between two groups over panchayat poll campaign. While Pratap Chandra Rout was on his way back home, a group of people attacked him. After getting the information, Pratap Chandra’s brother and some other villagers reached the spot. They alleged the attackers also thrashed them and threatened them of dire consequences.

The critically injured Pratap Chandra was rushed to the Dhamnagar CHC where doctors declared him dead.

As per latest reports, the area still has been tense following the youth’s death.