Around 300 people from Odisha attacked by some terrorists in West Bengal: MP Pratap Sarangi

Around 300 people from Odisha's Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts were allegedly detained and tortured in West Bengal on Tuesday. They were later rescued by the police of the neighbouring state following the intervention of Odisha government.

Speaking on the incident, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi said that the people of the state are now safe. “…They were attacked by some terrorists in West Bengal's Medinipur. As soon as I received the information, I talked to the Odisha CM after which I approached the SP, DM, and DG...," Sarangi told ANI.

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“We are at high alert and taking stock of the situation. The situation is under control now. I have directed to immediately take action against those causing nuisance and drop our Odisha people off till the Lakshannath Border with proper escort,” Sarangi said.

“I have received information that around 300 people, 5 to 10 more or less, have been attacked. Many of them were detained in a police station while others were trapped in a bus. We used extra force to rescue them all. Now, all of them have been kept in a cyclone centre due to less space in the police station. They are under police protection and no one can harm them now,” he added.

#WATCH | Balasore, Odisha: Around 300 people from Odisha's Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts were allegedly detained and tortured in West Bengal.

Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi says, "Now our people are safe. They were attacked by some terrorists in West Bengal's Medinipur.… pic.twitter.com/8ZJACwaBNP

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2024

All About West Bengal’s Sorry State Of Affairs…

Hundreds of tourists from the state were reportedly harassed and their vehicles were also damaged by some locals of West Bengal. Surprisingly, they were allegedly detained by some locals there who also damaged their vehicles. Distressed over the harassment, the stranded Odia people released video message seeking immediate help for their release.

A tourist, Pradip Nayak said that they had gone to a Kabiraj in WB when a group of people surrounded their vehicle and threatened to thrash them alleging that some residents of West Bengal are being harassed in Odisha. They even threatened to torch their vehicle.

Another tourist, Sandeep Panigrahi claimed that around 300 people in three SUVs, two buses and one car from Odisha were gheraoed by a group of local people in West Bengal who thrashed the bus drivers and attempted to damage their vehicles, before being rescued by the local police.