Bombs hurled at Athagarh block office, BJD infighting suspected

Cuttack: Tension prevailed in Athagarh after unidentified miscreants lobbed three crude bombs at the block office during a demonstration by BJD workers against pending tender bills of two panchayats.

The incident occurred when the workers were holding discussions with the Tehsildar at the block office. Though the exact reason behind the bombings is still unclear, it is suspected that incident could be fallout of the ongoing rivalry and infighting within two groups of ruling-Bijou Janata Dal (BJD).

According to sources, the protest was being carried out by one BJD group which raised slogans against party's Athagarh MLA and staged demonstration in front of the block office.

The demonstrators alleged that the local Block Development Officer (BDO) is not clearing the projects without the approval of the local MLA.

As the concerned BDO was absent, the agitators were holding discussions with local Tehsildar when three bombs were hurled by miscreants targeting the block office, sources said.

Earlier, a scuffle broke out with police after agitators tried enter the block office building forcibly today.