Mahanga Double Murder: No Place Of Violence In Democracy, Says Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday condemned the brutal double murders in Mahanga.

While taking to reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of Bidusagar lake rejuvenation project in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said that party leader Kulamani Baral was killed for raising his voice against massive corruption in PMAY.

Pradhan’s comments came a day after BJP gheraoed the DGP office in Cuttack in protest of the double murder incident. A delegation of the saffron party met DGP Abhay seeking action and arrest of all persons including the law minister for alleged involvement in the brutal murder.

It is pertinent to mention here that the son of the deceased Kulamani Baral had lodged an FIR against several persons including local MLA and Minister Pratap Jena.

“It is the duty of police to initiate action against those involved in the brutal murders. The senior police officials have sought 10 day’s time for taking appropriate action,” said Pradhan.
Pradhan further said that there is no place for violence in a democracy, but why such incident occurred needs to be probed.

PM Modi has been working for the overall development of Odisha. The Centre has been releasing funds for PMAY but there is massive corruption in the State in the implementation of the scheme, Pradhan alleged.

“Our party leader Kulamani Baral was raising voice against rampant corruption in PMAY in Mahanga block as a lot of ineligible beneficiaries were allotted houses under the scheme, “said Pradhan.

The deceased Kulamani Baral was attacked by unidentified miscreants while he was returning home with one of his associates on January 1.

Mahanga double murder: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says there is no place for violence in democracy. BJP leader Kulamani was protesting PMAY corruption for last 4 years but some intolerant people did not hesitate to murder him. The incident is condemnable #Odisha

— OTV (@otvnews) January 9, 2021

Baral, the former Mahanga block chairman and his associate Dibyasingha were travelling on a motorcycle when some miscreants attacked them with sharp-edged weapons near Jankoti in Mahanga of Cuttack.

Kulamani was declared brought dead at Mahanga CHC while Dibyasingha succumbed to injuries during treatment at SCB Hospital in Cuttack.

Later, Cuttack Police (Rural) arrested seven persons in this connection while the rest are still at large.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)