Bhubaneswar: BJP activists today ransacked the Bhadrak Collector's office during a statewide hartal observed by the party in protest against the alleged irregularities in distribution of ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which passe off almost peacefully at other places.
BJP activists staged protests in Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Kamakhyanagar, Angul, Sonepur, Jeypore, Khurdha, Balasore, Ganjam and other places in the State demanding transparency in ration card distribution. Besides, they also raised the issues of the malnutrition deaths at Nagada and inadequate drought assistance to farmers during the hartal.
The saffron party alleged that the real beneficiaries have been deprived of ration cards. "The ruling party has distributed ration cards among its party workers while poor have been deprived of it," BJP leader Sameer Mohanty alleged.
"Has the Cuttack mayor, who had resigned after acquiring the card under the central scheme, been arrested till now?" he asked.
BJD has refuted the allegation claiming that only genuine beneficiaries have been given cards.
Condemning the violence by BJP workers, party spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda said; "They (BJP activists) have ransacked public properties at many places, including Bhadrak and Dhenkanal, and thrashed the officials in the name of hartal. It is really condemnable."