Angul: A day after many BJP activists were soundly thrashed by BJD workers while showing black flags to Food Supply minister Sanjay Dasburma and Housing and Urban Development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo at Manamunda in Boudh district yesterday, Angul Superintendent of Police (SP) Kabita Jalan was injured during a clash between the workers of the two parties here on Saturday
Jalan sustained injuries while trying to intervene when BJD workers attacked BJP activists, who were opposing the visit of Food and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma’s to the town.
According to eyewitnesses, BJD workers chased the BJP workers protesting against the minister's visit to the city in front of the Circuit House here and thrashed them mercilessly.
Earlier in the day, police had detained 10 BJP workers, including senior leader Rudra Pani, on security grounds. The former parliamentarian warned the ruling party against visiting any part of the State.
"In future, no minister will be allowed to even come out of their house. Chief Minister will also be confined to Naveen Niwas," the senior leader said.
On the other hand, a team of BJP leaders, led by KV Singh Deo, today took stock of the situation after meeting the injured party activists at the hospital and visiting the spot at Manamunda in Boudh where the incident took place. The party also observed a dawn-to-dusk bandh in the district today demanding stern action against the BJD men involved in the brutal assault.
The party urged the chief minister to drop the two ministers allegedly involved in the assault. "Two ministers against whom the FIR has been lodged may influence the investigation. The chief minister needs to drop them from the council of minister first," BJP legislature party chief Singh Deo said.
Notably, some BJP activists were brutally assaulted by BJD workers at Manamunda in Boudh district on Friday while they were protesting the visit of ministers Sanjay Dasburma and Pushpendra Singhdeo by showing black flags.