Odisha MLA’s vehicle, driver attacked during Ayushman Bharat card distribution

A car belonging to Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattanayak was allegedly attacked by an assailant during the legislator’s visit to distribute Ayushman Bharat cards. His vehicle driver was also allegedly thrashed by the accused. The incident was reported from Barajupatana village of Mangalpur panchayat in Puri district on Monday.

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According to sources, the MLA had exited the vehicle when the driver faced an attack from an unidentified individual. The MLA has described the man as an 'anti-social element'. Pipili police have detained the man and initiated formal proceedings against him.

This incident underscores the challenges faced during the implementation of public welfare initiatives.

Victim driver narrates the incident

“I had parked the vehicle in a lane when a bike-borne man came from the front and hit the middle portion of the car with his motorcycle. As I asked him why he did so, the man hit the vehicle with an object. Later, he brought a chair from a nearby house and threw it at me. He also tore my T-shirt and beat me,” the MLA’s driver, Tutu Parida, alleged.

“I, along with local MP, BDO, and several others, was distributing Ayushman Bharat cards among beneficiaries in the village. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise and learnt that my vehicle driver had been attacked by a miscreant. Pipili Police Station IIC was inform,d and the man was detained by the police,” the BJP MLA said to OTV.

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“Police are questioning the man and the law will take its course,” the Pipili MLA added.

Reported By: Dwitikrushna Pattnaik