With the Opposition parties announcing to stage demonstrations during Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s scheduled visit to Bijepur in Bargarh district on Saturday (tomorrow), the Odisha police is all set to turn the area into a fortress.
Police sources said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the scheduled visit of the Chief Minister. As many as 18 platoon of police force will be deployed and higher police officials have been given the responsibility to maintain law and order during the visit. Strict surveillance will be in place in several places of the district.
As per reports, Patnaik is slated to distribute Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Smart health cards in a special programme at Bijepur tomorrow. Subsequently, 3,63,000 Smart health cards will be distributed in 12 blocks of the district.
“After the Chief Minister’s programme at Bijepur tomorrow, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana Smart health cards will be distributed among the beneficiaries in various blocks and Panchayats in different phases,” said BJD MP Prasanna Acharya.
However, the Opposition parties have decided to turn the heat on Odisha government over the sensational murder case of lady teacher Mamita Meher by continuing with their protests.
“We will stage protests against the visit of the Chief Minister seeking justice for Mamita’s family and demands of the ouster of Odisha Home Minister (state) Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the murder case,” said Bargarh District BJP President Ashwini Sarangi.
Congress has also announced to stage demonstrations against the Chief Minister’s visit.
“We will continue to protest the visit of the Chief Minister and other ministers of the BJD ruled government until Mamita gets justice and the culprits are brought to book,” said Congress leader Nihar Ranjan Mahananda.