BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra wields sword in Odisha’s Sambalpur

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Sambalpur, Apr 13: 

In violation of prohibitory orders of Odisha’s Sambalpur administration, Senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra today resorted to sword wielding during the Akhada rally while celebrating Hanuman Jayanti in the town.

Even though the security forces almost immediately pounced on him and took away the sword, a minor brawl ensued between his supporters and the cops. The situation, however, was brought under control without any further escalation.

No one has been injured in the incident. Two female supporters of Mishra have been detained by the cops on charges of facilitating the swords.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Sambalpur SP said that action would be initiated against Mishra and his supporters as provided in the law.

“I am not aware about any prohibitory orders on sword wielding. Seven terrorists stayed here for seven days and this Sambalpur police couldn’t even know about their presence. The same police, in the name of law and order, are harassing innocent people while they practice their religion as per the centuries-old tradition. I condemn it,” said Mishra who had been arrested for wielding a sword during Hanuman Jayanti festival last year.

Apart from Mishra, no other major incident was reported from the town. While one off cases of sword wielding came to fore in certain places, the cops managed to contain the situation and maintain the law and order.

Precautionary measures had been taken by the local police and security measures had been beefed up across the town. While some of the local BJP leaders including Sambalpur BJP Mahila Morcha President were taken into preventive custody today, four more persons including Hanuman Jayanti Coordination Committee President Prabhat Panda had been arrested yesterday to avoid any untoward incident.