Odisha BJP leaders detained at police station while heading towards Sambalpur

Sambalpur: In a dramatic turn of events, as many as ten leaders of the Odisha unit of BJP were today detained at police station while they were heading towards Sambalpur to review the situation in the aftermath of violence during the Hanuman Jayanti motorcycle rally on April 12.

According to reports, the BJP delegation comprising State President Manmohan Samal and party leaders Bishweshwar Tudu, Jual Oram, Suresh Pujari, Basant Panda, Nauri Nayak, Kusum Tete, Sankar Oram, KV Singh Deo and Samir Mohanty were stopped by the district police near Sripura Chhak on Sambalpur-Jharsuguda border.

Later, they were taken to the Thelkuli police station for detention.

“The local administration doesn’t want us to meet the victims and their family members as it might get exposed. This is like an undeclared emergency. The accused are roaming scot-free. Though the SP admitted that the stone-pelting was pre-planned, action has not been taken against the wrongdoers. The administration is not ready to face questions over these matters, for which we are being stopped,” said BJP leader Suresh Pujari.

The BJP team was to meet those who were injured in the group clash and hold discussion with the officials of the district administration.

Notably, a motorcycle rally was taken out in the town on April 12 ahead of Hanuman Jayanti. While the rally was passing through Motijharan Square, some persons pelted stones at the participants of the rally.

The incident subsequently led to a clash between two groups. Many shops and vehicles were set on fire during the clash.

Several persons, including cops, were critically injured in the incident.

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