Odisha govt ‘ignored’ intel report which led to Sambalpur Violence: State BJP chief

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday targeted the Odisha government over the recent Sambalpur violence. At a presser, State BJP President, Manmohan Samal alleged that the Odisha government ignored the intelligence reports for which there was large-scale violence.

According to Samal, the state government should admit that it has failed to ensure protection of the people as it had failed to provide security to its own minister. “Had the government shown the same promptness it showed on April 14, the April 12 incident would not have happened? The Sambalpur SP said that everything was pre-planned; but who had planned it? Who is the godfather behind the stone pelting and violence? The BJP will not tolerate this appeasement policy,” said Samal.

Bhubaneswar MP, Aparajita Sarangi said, “Under the present circumstances, the Odisha government should admit that the Law and Order has gone for a toss in the state. If VHP has given a bandh call, it is justified as it is necessary to wake up the Naveen Patnaik government which is sleeping. The government should see the ground reality and the people of the state want better law and order,” said Sarangi.

Congress leader, Jaydev Jena blamed both the BJD and BJP for the Sambalpur violence and said that the state government has no control over the law and order situation.

“The BJP and VHP are trying to intensify the Sambalpur incident which was confined to one district and when curfew is in place, they are now trying to include 11 more districts by giving a bandh call. It appears that all this is being done keeping in mind the upcoming elections,” said Jena.

According to Jena, Congress wants restoration of peace and normalcy. “BJP and BJD are doing politics. Both are responsible.”

The Odisha government officials or the BJD have not responded to the allegations.