Odisha BJP to intensify stir against Tarabha murder

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 6:

The BJP today announced to stage demonstrations at all sub divisional headquarters across Odisha tomorrow to register its protest against the murder of its party worker Salman Rout in Tarabha village under Sadar block in Dhenkanal district.

“The BJD doesn’t believe in democracy it rather believes in bullets. We will build public opinion against this. To begin with will hold demonstrations and protest meetings in all sub divisional headquarters of the state tomorrow,” informed BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma at a press conference here today.

Also read: Pre-poll violence in Odisha: Prime accused arrested, two detained for Tarabha Killing

The BJP has alleged that the BJD instead of confronting them politically has resorted to violence.

“BJP strongly condemns the violence resorted to by the BJD which instead of facing it politically has taken recourse to violence,” Sharma stated.

The saffron party demanded resignation of local MLA and Minister Prafulla Mallick in connection with Rout’s murder while alleging that he was involved in the conspiracy.

Also read: Odisha’s Tarabha village on boil after killing of BJP worker; Sec 144 clamped

“The police are telling that they have arrested the prime accused Byomkesh Biswal. But I would like to ask why the people behind the conspiracy have not been brought under the purview of the investigations yet? Why they have not been arrested? Local MLA and Minister Prafulla Mallick is a conspirator in this incident. We demand to bring him within the purview of the investigation. We demand his arrest. We demand his resignation. Tarabha villagers have openly alleged of his involvement in the incident,” the BJP spokesperson asserted.

“We demand call records of the culprit, Minister Prafulla Mallick and police be sealed and examined,” he added.

Also read: Tarabha killing: Odisha BJP observes Dhenkanal bandh

On the other hand, Minister Mallick refuted allegations made against him while proclaiming that he is prepared to face any kind of probe.

“We condemn the incident. I am prepared to face any kind of probe. Let my call records be examined. BJP is making the accusations with political motive. BJD doesn’t believe in violence. The culprit has already surrendered,” said Mallick in his defence.

The Congress too held the BJD responsible for violence at different places in the run-up to the panchayat polls.

“Currently, the kind of indiscipline that is being seen in the run-up to the panchayat polls has surpassed that of the terrorists. Especially, the ruling party-BJD is involved in these.  In Keonjhar ruling party workers thrashed opponents inside the police station while they had come to lodge complaints. They don’t care or have fear towards the police. They have surpassed terrorists,” commented Niranjan Patnaik, Member of PCC’s Coordination Committee.