Paradip: Protesting the arrest of Congress leader Bapi Sarkhel, some of his supporters took to the streets at Kujang in Jagatsinghpur district today.
Supporters of staged road blockade at Kunjang road by burning tyres. Later, they called off their stir after police intervention. Members of the Congress SC Cell also staged road blockade on the Cuttack-Pradip road. In view of this, eight platoons of police force were deployed to avoid any untoward situation.
On the other hand, over a hundred workers under the banner of the Paradip-Erasama Industrial Development Council staged cease-work agitation here. Terming Sarkhel’s arrest as injustice, the activists demanded his unconditional release.
Notably, police arrested Sarkhel on Friday in connection with the murder of an official of a shipping company at Paradip and produced before the Kujang JMFC, where his bail plea was rejected. He was later sent to jail.
In his reaction, Congress senior leader Niranjan Patnaik said if Sarkhel is involved in the murder case, it is a mater of grave concern, mentioning that the party had given him ticket in last elections.
"It will be unfortunate if Sarkhel is framed in the murder case falsely with political motives. Involvement of political leaders in this case will have bad repercussions on the party," he added.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan said law would take its own course.