BJD’s Ananta Narayan Jena injured in bomb attack

Bhubaneswar: Violence erupted in State capital Bhubaneswar a day ahead of the polls. Former Bhubaneswar Mayor and BJD MLA candidate Ananta Narayan Jena was grievously injured in a bomb attack hours after a BJP candidate was targeted in a similar fashion.

Jena, who is contesting from Bhubaneswar Central Assembly seat, has been admitted to Capital Hospital here as he sustained multiple injuries in the attack.

As per reports, three bike-borne youths hurled crude bombs at Jena’s car on the Jharpada Canal Road here this evening. The miscreants fled soon after committing the crime.

Jena’s condition is stated to be stable now, hospital sources said.

Three other associates of Jena were also injured in the attack and have been undergoing treatment at the hospital.

On being informed, Laxmisagar police reached the spot and started investigation.

Earlier in the day, some unknown bike-borne miscreants hurled crude bombs at a vehicle of BJP candidate Jagannath Pradhan at Delta Colony under Nayapalli police station limits. Luckily, Pradhan escaped the attack with minor injuries.

Following the incident, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, KV Singh Deo and Aparajita Shadangi have met Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar and demanded stringent action against the accused.

Bhubaneswar goes to the polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 23.