BJD politicising Bharatpur case, says BJP as opposition calls for bandh in Bhubaneswar

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday called for a six-hour Bhubaneswar bandh on September 24 against the alleged custodial torture of an Indian Army Major and his fiancee at the Bharatpur police station in the state capital. The bandh will be observed for 6 hours on September 24 (Tuesday) from morning 6 am.

BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The bandh will be observed to intensify the protest against police action meted out to Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancee Ankita Pradhan. After much discussion, we have decided to call for the 6-hour bandh in Bhubaneswar."

Leaders cutting across party lines have condemned the police brutality and demanded a thorough probe into the incident. Earlier, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik had demanded for a judicial probe into the matter.

On the other hand, the BJP also assured of stern action and an impartial probe into the incident while the Crime Branch has been probing the case.

“The state government has taken the matter seriously and taken necessary action in this regard. Even CM Mohan Majhi himself is committed to a proper investigation into the incident. He is not like Naveen Patnaik to hide his face,” said BJP leader Dilip Mallick while responding to the Opposition allegations.

“The culprit will be taken to task. The BJD who has a history of whitewashing such matters in the past is just trying to give it a political angle,” he added.