New Delhi: A team from Odisha BJP led by Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Home Minister Rajnath Singh here today and submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention to protect Parbati Sasmal of Kalikuda in Jagatsinghpur, who was allegedly attacked by BJD supporters for handing over a letter to Prime Minister during a road show in Bhubaneswar on April 15.
"We seek your intervention to ensure safety and security to the lady and others of her like. We urge you to use your good office to take up the issue with Government to ensure justice to a poor lady", the memorandum read.
The five-member delegation, which includes BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, State general secretary Prthiviraj Harichandan and Lekhasri Samantsinghar, alleged that Odisha DGP expressed ignorance about the incident even as the matter was much discussed.
A resident of Kalikuda under Erasama police limits, Sasmal, who manages her family by rearing goats, was manhandled as she voted for BJP during panchayat elections, the BJP leaders said. After the Panchayat elections, the BJD workers became more violent against political opponents. Instead of democratic fight, the regional party has resorted to violence, the memorandum further read.
Soon after meeting, the Oil minister tweeted-"She was attacked again for daring to submit a petition to Hon'ble PM during his visit to the state on 15th April to attend the BJP NE Meet".
He further mentioned- "Odisha witnessed an unprecedented political low when this poor lady was beaten by ruling BJD goons for voting for BJP in Panchayat Elections".
Similarly, Patra mentioned in his micro blogging site- "BJP team headed by Sh @dpradhanbjp ji & other leaders from Odisha met HM Sh Rajnath ji to apprise Him about the atrocities of Naveen govt!"
Parbati and five others were attacked by a group of villagers, including Sarpanch of Japa panchayat Tapan Gochchayat, for grazing goats in a disputed cashew forest.
She had handed over a petition narrating her ordeal to PM amid heavy crowd when the latter interacted with people during a road show on April 15. Following it, she was again attacked in the village.
Though the police registered two cases in the two incidents, no arrests were made, Sasmal had alleged earlier.
BJD spokesperson Samir Das on the other hand has refuted the allegations leveled by BJP leaders.
"BJP allegations are completely baseless. The entire issue has been politically motivated as there is a dispute between two villages over cashew plantations," said Das.