BJD workers stage protest after police detain party secretary of Athagarh constituency

BJD workers staged a gherao around Khuntuni Police Station in Cuttack district on Saturday after police detained party secretary of the Athagarh constituency-Ranjan Jena. Workers of the Opposition party also staged a demonstration demanding the immediate release of Jena.

Earlier on September 1, the labour organisation Hind Mazdoor Sabha had staged a protest in front of the police station over a 10-point charter of demands. There was reportedly a confrontation between BJP workers and labourers during the protest in the presence of police.

Protesting BJD workers alleged that Khuntuni Police detained the party secretary of Athagarh constituency over the incident instead of arresting the BJP workers.

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“BJP workers involved in the confrontation should be arrested and the BJD secretary of Athagarh constituency should be released immediately. We will continue our protest until our demands are met,” said Athagarh block BJD's women’s unit president Santilata Behera.