CM condemns attack on Minister's brother, 3 arrested

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday strongly condemned the attack on Labour Minister Susanta Singh's brother Subrat near Banabira under Sohela block of Bargarh district late on Thursday night. However, three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

"There is no place for violence in democracy. The people of Odisha are peace loving and I strongly condemn the cowardly act," said Patnaik.

According to reports, Labour Minister Susanta Singh's brother Subrat and three others were attacked by unidentified miscreants while they were on way.

It is alleged that the attackers fired at Subrat's vehicle and damaged it. All the four injured were then admitted to Sohela hospital and later shifted to Burla.

VIMSAR director Ashwini Pujahari today stated that none of the four injured has bullet wounds while the Minister's brother is under observation.

Meanwhile, police today claimed that the attack was the fallout of the ongoing rivalry between two political groups.
"The three arrested - Basudev Nayak, Digvijay and Jayprakash Agarwal are suspected to be supporters of a particular political party," said additional SP Jashobant Senapati.

Senapati further informed that two special teams have been formed to nab other accused who are absconding after the incident.

Meanwhile, political blame game has started on the issue with BJD staging a demonstration in front of Chief Electoral Officer in protest of the attack on Minister's brother in bypoll-bound Bijepur.

Accusing BJP of orchestrating the attack, the BJD has sought intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer demanding stern action against the accused.

"It is a conspiracy to stall the bypoll. We have submitted memorandum to Collector, SP demanding extra vigil in the region," said BJD vice-president, Prasanna Acharya.

A delegation of BJP also moved the Chief Electoral Officer demanding installation of CCTV cameras in all the sensitive booths under the Bijepur assembly constituency.

"Minister Susanta Singh's brother and others injured have criminal background and we have demanded for strict surveillance during polling," said BJP vice president, Sameer Mohanty.

While addressing a press conference, BJP MLA Pradip Purohit alleged BJD is used to blaming BJP without conducting a detailed investigation.

"BJD allegations are false and baseless and BJP is not involved in the incident, "said Purohit.