Odisha youth climbs atop hoarding after failing to meet CM, rescued; warns of fast unto death if arrested

High-drama unfolded in the Odisha capital on Wednesday after a youth climbed atop a hoarding and threatened to end his life after being denied permission to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.  

Muktikant Biswal, who reached Bhubaneswar on padyatra from Rourkela by covering a distance of 530 km last week to press for his unfulfilled demands, climbed the hoarding installed at Sishu Bhawan Square in the capital city.

During the padyatra, Biswal carried replicas of various projects in two baskets on his shoulder. The development projects were reportedly announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for Rourkela in 2013, but remained incomplete till date. He waited at Sishu Bhawan to meet the CM for the past one week. 

However, he grew impatient after being denied to meet the CM. Upset over the denial, he climbed atop the hoarding installed at a height of around 30 feet at busy Sishu Bhawan square and threatened to end his life. 

A large number of people gathered at the spot and looked in awe as Biswal threatened to end his life from atop the hoarding. The fire services personnel and police rushed to the spot and tried to convince the youth.

His family members also appealed to him to return home safely. "No one will address your demands," said the parents of Muktikant while urging him to stop the protest.

The fire services department launched an operation to rescue the youth from atop the hoarding. Later, after around 5 hours of operations, Muktikant was rescued and rushed to Capital Hospital.

After being rescued, Muktikant said he will continue his fight till all the promises of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are not materialised. "I have come here to fight for the cause of the people of Rourkela and Sundergarh. If I am arrested and put behind the bars today, I will go on fast unto death in jail," he said.

Reported by Kapilendra Pradhan, OTV