Stones pelted at convoy of two Odisha Ministers in Bangiriposhi, constable injured

A visit by two Odisha Ministers to assess storm damage in Bangiriposhi turned tense as angry locals staged protests and attacked their convoy. On Sunday, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra had gone to Bangiriposhi to inspect the damage caused by the recent Kalbaisakhi storm.

Also Read: Kalbaisakhi destruction in Odisha: Minister reviews situation, assures immediate compensation

Stone Pelting Shatters Minister's Car Window

After assessing the damage, the convoy had dropped the Ministers and was returning when a group of enraged locals began protesting. They expressed their frustration, demanding to know why the ministers had not visited their villages earlier to assess the damage. The protest soon escalated as stones were hurled at the convoy, shattering the windowpanes of one of the minister’s cars.

A police constable suffered a head injury during the attack, as stones rained down on the vehicles. Security personnel immediately took control of the situation, but the intensity of the protest highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among the people.

Also Read: Odisha braces for more Kalbaisakhi storms amid massive damage, IMD warning

Public Anger Over Delayed Visit

The locals, who had suffered severe losses due to the storm, accused the ministers of arriving too late. "Why didn’t they visit us earlier? We have lost our homes and belongings, and now they come just for an assessment?" shouted one of the protestors. The resentment was evident as villagers blocked roads, shouted slogans, and hurled stones at the passing vehicles.

Ministers' Visit Aimed at Damage Assessment

Ministers Suresh Pujari and Krishna Chandra Mahapatra had been sent by the Odisha government to assess the extent of damage caused by Kalbaisakhi in the region. The storm had left hundreds of houses damaged across several panchayats in Bangiriposhi, forcing the administration to step in for relief measures.