Social activists oppose seizure of Jay Panda's helicopter

Choudwar: Protests have gained momentum against the seizure of former Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda's helicopter on allegations of flying over Chilika Lake.

Several social activists and intellectuals today staged a demonstration at Choudwar in Cuttack alleging that a conspiracy is being hatched by BJD-led Odisha government to target the former parliamentarian.

“Several senior BJD leaders including MLAs and Ministers have also flown over Chilika Lake. But so far the Odisha government and police have not taken any action against them while prompt action was taken after allegations against Jay Panda,” said Sushant Nayak, a social activist.

Bishnu Charan Sahu, another social activist, termed the allegations levelled against Baijayant Panda as false and fabricated.

“Condemning such incident, we organized a protest rally at Choudwar today. Odisha government's actions are undemocratic and we will intensify our agitation in coming days,” Sahu added.

Earlier on September 24, the former parliamentarian had submitted his flight details before the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Panda had stated that the allegations over his helicopter ride were changed at least five times by Odisha Police.

“First it was alleged that a seaplane landed in Chilika Lake which was subsequently changed to helicopter. Later it was changed that it had not landed in Chilika instead it flew at a low altitude and the lake is a no flying zone. All the allegations are completely baseless,” Panda had said.

Panda had further claimed that his flight was completely in accordance to ATC regulations.

In a tweet, the  former parliamentarian today wrote:

Actually, no action need be taken against anyone, since Chilika lake is neither a restricted nor a no-fly zone. Only the state govt vendetta in this fabricated case against me, with ever changing allegations in the FIR, needs to be exposed?? https://t.co/vzmSEIENdM

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) September 28, 2018