In poll-related violence, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Avilash Panda was injured after he was allegedly attacked by some BJD workers in Chandbali of Bhadrak on Thursday.
As per reports, Avilash was returning after campaigning for the party candidates in Chandbali. A group of the ruling party workers assaulted Panda near Sasikadeipur. He sustained injuries in his head.
Following the incident, the BJP workers filed a complaint at the Bansada Police Station.
Speaking to OTV over the phone, Panda said, "After the attack on us, we were rescued by police. We were taken to the nearby police outpost. Later, we were taken to the Dhamra hospital. Unfortunately, no staff was there at that time. We are on our way to Basudevpur Hospital. Our workers were injured.”
He alleged that a local sarpanch and his siblings and supporters first provoked them before the attack. “They were the supporters of the BJD MLA candidate Byomakesh Ray. They were taking the name of Ray. They were shouting that they would not allow us to campaign for the BJP,” he lamented.
'We demand immediate action against attackers'
Addressing a presser, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal said, "Our BJP leaders were holding discussions with local party workers. There was no conflicting situation when the BJD workers attacked them. Our workers did not make any remarks at others. They abruptly attacked the BJP workers and damaged their vehicles. They also attacked with sharp-edged weapons. Free and fair elections will not be possible amid such attacks. Similar attacks had happened in Ganjam and Khallikote.”
“We urge the district administration and the ECI to take immediate action and investigate the attacks,” he said.
144 imposed across Bhadrak till June 1
Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under section-144 of CrPC across Bhadrak district on Thursday to ensure the successful conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections and for the preservation of public peace or safety.
The restriction would be in force from 6 pm on May 30 up to the close of the voting on June 2.
The order issued by District Magistrate Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar read, "There shall be no assembly of more than 05 persons during the above period at any location within the jurisdiction of Bhadrak district.”