Odisha Minister shown black flags by Mahila Cong workers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Sambalpur, Jan 6:

Members of the women’s wing (Mahila Congress) of the Congress party today showed black flags to Odisha School & Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra while he was here to attend the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Nursingha Guru Town High School.

Police have detained five women activists of the Congress party in this connection.

Women activists of the Congress showed black flags to the Minister to protest against large scale bungling in the issue of ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

However, the local police have denied of the incident.

“Some Congress workers had planned to protest. We had advance information about the protest on the basis of which we have detained five women activists of the Congress. Their intention was to show black flags to the Minister but their attempt has been foiled. The Minister went ahead with his programme as per schedule; nobody has shown black flags to the Minister,” said Sushil Panigrahi, ASP Sambalpur.

“I haven’t seen anyone showing black flags to me. If they had anything to say they could have given a memorandum to me which I would have gladly accepted. I have no idea of anybody protesting against me,” said School & Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra to reporters in his reactions on the incident.

“My party members have protested against the large scale irregularities in allotment of ration cards under National Food Security Act (NFSA). Many leaders of BJD have availed ration cards while deserving poor have been deprived of the scheme. Our party colleagues have show black flags to the Minister at Sambalpur,” said Sasmita Behera, president state Mahila Congress.

“Congress party is sinking. Such activities are low grade politics. The attempt by the Congress when the platinum jubilee of a school in the name of freedom fighter Nrusingha Guru is being celebrated speaks of mean politics by the sinking party. This is not acceptable in a civilized society. It’s shameful and condemnable,” said Siddhartha Das, a local BJD leader.