Manamunda attack: Odisha BJP demands resignation of BJD ministers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 31: 

Two days after BJD workers and leaders attacked BJP supporters in Manamunda town of Odisha’s Boudh district, Odisha unit of BJP today strengthened its stand on the issue and demanded resignation of the accused ministers.

Speaking to reporters at Bhubaneswar party headquarters today, Odisha BJP Vice President Samir Mohanty said that BJP will continue with its peaceful protests until the culprits are arrested and brought to book.

“We have already lodged an FIR against the accused leaders of Biju Janata Dal ministers, MLA & corporator under arms act & SC/ST act. The Chief Minister, however, has taken no action against them. With them in power, we have little hope on the outcome of the investigation as they will influence it,” said Mohanty.

“We demand that they be dropped from the council of ministers for a free and fair investigation,” he added.

BJP’s Boudh district unit, on the other hand, continued its relay-demonstration in front of the office of Collector for the second consecutive day.

It may be mentioned here that several BJD supporters, including Bolgarh MLA Prasanta Jagdev, had thrashed some BJP workers after the latter showed black flags to Ministers Sanjay Das Burma and Pushpendra Singh Deo at Manamunda on July 29 while they were on their way to a party event.

A team of BJP party functionaries and MLAs yesterday visited Manamunda to hold talks with the BJP workers who were injured in the incident.

According Boudh SP Buttula Gangadhar, both BJP and BJD workers filed FIRs against each other after the incident.