Bhubaneswar: Politics has intensified over the death of Smitarani Biswal, the lady village level worker (VLW) & in-charge panchayat executive officer (PEO) of Haridaspur in Jajpur district, with BJP and Congress once again cornering the ruling-BJD for allegedly providing government land to arrested Rupesh Bhadra where the latter has constructed the guest house. Congress levelled that this is the same guest house from where Smitarani's body was recovered a few days back under mysterious circumstances.
"The guest house has been constructed illegally in forest land. Sarpanch's husband Rupesh was able to manage this only with the support of ruling party. The guest house should be immediately demolished and the government needs to take the land under its possession," said Manoj Rout, Jajpur district Congress president.
It is pertinent to mention that Mahila Congress today gheraoed Jajpur SP office demanding a CBI enquiry into the death case of Smitarani Biswal.
On the other hand, Jajpur BJP district unit president Goutam Ray informed that the party will lodge FIRs at all police stations of the district on October 26 demanding a criminal case against Jajpur SP Charan Singh Meena.
At a presser, BJP State vice-president Samir Mohanty alleged, "Jajpur SP looked into the personal angle of the deceased Smitarani Biswal for probe but overlooked the professional aspect of her life. Police are also yet to clarify on the role of five others who were present at the spot during her death."
Later in the day, a delegation of BJP met Chief Secretary and submitted a memorandum seeking an impartial probe into the incident. The delegation mentioned that justice to Smitarani would be a morale booster for other low-level employees.
However, BJD Minister Sameer Ranjan Dash requested the Opposition not to politicise the matter. If they have any evidence, they should rather submit it before the investigating agency, stated Dash.
Meanwhile, Jajpur Collector Ranjan Kumar Das has directed local Tehsildar for a thorough inspection. "The Tehsildar would first measure the land and see if the concerned guest house has been constructed on government land. Necessary action would be taken based on the report," said Das.