Odisha Minister Damodar Rout at it again, targets Bapi Sarkhel

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Paradip, Sep 18:

Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader, Odisha Co-operation and Excise Minister Damodar Rout has renewed the political rivalry with his bête noire Arindam Sarkhel aka Bapi Sarkhel in the form of a letter shot to the incumbent District Superintendent of Police recently.

In his indirect reference to his political adversary, the BJD veteran has attributed increase in crime in the Port town to “a mafia man”.

“After your joining at Jagatsinghpur I hope a significant improvement in crime control which has been a serious problem in and around of Paradip industrial hub. I am really disgusted. I feel embarrassed to see the callousness of the local police and the Revenue Administration at Paradip. It appears as if the premises of Paradip Oil Refinery is a citadel of criminals led by a mafia man and his associates,” Rout was quoted as saying in the letter to Jayanarayan Pankaj.

While Odisha police have launched an operation to book anti-socials ahead of the panchayat polls due early first quarter next, the missive from the two-time Paradip legislator is viewed as an attempt to neutralize his rivals.

Furthermore, Rout also annexed documentary evidence along with the letter typed on his official letterhead last Wednesday.

“I am enclosing a piece of sheet of paper where a number of FIRs are recorded which reveals serious sections of criminal law as the basis of registration of cases. You can make a review as to the present status of the cases registered in the past. I believe this will give you a basic impression about the law and order situation and what I was talking over telephone today morning is just an expression of my anguish. Please do not take it otherwise and this could impress you to initiate your administrative action in the matter of monitoring law and order situation and crime control,” he concluded.

In reply to this, Bapi Sarkhel said: “It is a political conspiracy by Damodar Rout in view of the upcoming panchayat polls in the state.”