Sarpanch Candidate Among 8 Held For Attacking Former Minister Damodar Rout

A Sarpanch candidate and seven of his supporters in Sailo Panchayat under Kujang Block in Jagatsinghpur district were arrested on Monday for allegedly attacking the vehicle of senior politician and former Odisha Minister Damodar Rout.

Though Rout escaped unhurt, his car was partially damaged in the attack.

As per reports, Rout was on his way home when Sarpanch candidate, Saroj Sethi, who was taking out a political procession on the same road, confronted him near Balisahi village under Sailo Panchayat.

As per the allegations, Sethi hurled abuses at Rout and sent his goons to attack his vehicle. Rout’s car suffered damages in the attack.

Following the attack, Rout wrote to the Electoral Officer of Kujang, who in turn sent the Tirtol Police which arrested Sethi and seven of his associates.

Speaking to OTV, Rout said, “When I saw a political procession coming from the opposite direction, I parked my car beside the road to make way for the participants to pass. But Sethi stopped by me and started abusing me. Then his goons came ahead and attacked my car.”

While the local Electoral Officer took cognizance of the matter, Damodar Rout’s son, Sambit Rout termed it ‘personal vendetta’ while playing down possible political angle behind the incident.

Speaking to reporters, Sambit, a BJD MLA, said, “It is unacceptable for me to see my father, a senior politician, at the receiving end of such a situation. Sethi is an anti social element and the law will take its course. Eight people have already been arrested, more arrests will follow.”