The Bargarh Police put State Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJYM) President Irasis Acharya and other Opposition leaders on preventive detention on Friday night anticipating protest during Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Bargarh on Saturday.
Besides, BJP District Krishak Morcha President Srikant Mishra was also detained among 12 other BJP leaders to ensure an uneventful visit of Naveen Patnaik.
As per reports, the Opposition including BJP and Congress had warned to protest CM Naveen’s Brgarh visit demanding ouster of Minister Of State (Home) Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra in the Mamita Meher murder case.
Speaking about the detention, Acharya said, “Bhatli Police have picked us up and put under preventive detention. If Naveen Patnaik considers his decision to not remove Minister Mishra from Ministry as right, then why does he fear protest.”
“They cannot suppress our voices by force. The agitation has spread to every nook and corner of Odisha and his visit will be protested anywhere he goes,: warned Acharya.
Not only BJP, but Congress leaders including Party’s District President Nihar Mahananda was also detained by the Police.
As per reports, as many as 18 platoons of Police force have been deployed in Bargarh to make sure the CM’s event concludes smoothly. Police is conducting checks at all the entry points to the town. Senior officers have been deployed to ensure the law and order situation does not go out of hands during Patnaik’s visit.
Meanwhile, some BJD workers allegedly beat four Congress activists including Bargarh district Chhatra Congress President in presence of police, for staging protest ahead of CM Naveen Patnaik's visit to the town.
However, the IIC of Town Police Station, Bargarh, Sadanand Pujari denied allegations that the incident occurred under his watch.
As per reports, the Police picked up four Congress workers following the incident.