14 BJP workers held for showing black flags to minister

Phulbani: Police today detained 14 BJP workers for showing black flags to BJD leader and Parliamentary Affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh in Phulbani town in Kandhamal district.

Reports said the minister was on the way to the district headquarters to participate in a mini marathon organised to mark the Biju Patnaik birth centenary when some BJP supporters showed black flags to him at Gandhi Chhak. However, the police present on the spot snatched the black flags from the demonstrators. Police later detained 14 BJP workers.

Talking to media persons, Arukh claimed that not a single BJP worker has showed black flag to him. “They do not have the moral courage to do it,” he pointed out.

“We are ready for a fight with the BJD. BJP has been protesting the visit of every BJD minister to Kandhamal district and the protest will continue,” senior BJP leader Bhagaban Mohanty told media persons.