BJD, BJP workers clash outside Athagarh block office; tension prevails

A violent confrontation broke out between BJP and BJD workers outside the Athagarh block office in Cuttack district, just ahead of a scheduled Panchayat Samiti meeting on Tuesday. The incident has led to severe injuries and police intervention, triggering concerns over escalating political rivalry.

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According to sources, tension escalated outside the block office in Athagarh earlier in the morning as workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) clashed violently ahead of the Panchayat Samiti meeting. The confrontation later turned aggressive as members of both political factions engaged in stone pelting and physical assault.

According to eyewitness accounts, the conflict erupted before the arrival of the local MLA, who was scheduled to attend the meeting. Supporters of both parties had gathered near the block premises, shouting slogans and raising political banners, which soon led to heated arguments and physical confrontations.

As the situation spiralled out of control, police forces deployed on the spot initiated a lathi charge to disperse the crowds. Despite their efforts, the scuffle left six people seriously injured, including the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Athagarh. All the injured have been admitted to a local medical facility for treatment.

To restore law and order, the police administration invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and deployed forces at the site. Additional SPs, two Deputy SPs, and three platoons of police personnel have been stationed in the area to monitor the situation and prevent further violence.

Police authorities are maintaining a strict vigil as the political tension threatens to disrupt local governance and law and order in the region.

“A meeting was scheduled to be held here (at Athagarh block office). Supporters of both the political parties (BJD and BJP) had congregated near the block office. Since a brawl was previously anticipated, we had deployed forces, and both factions were kept at a safe distance. But, the scuffle ensued,” Cuttack Additional SP, Pradeep Kumar Sahu, said.