Dama Rout's supporters call for 24-hour market bandh in Earsama

Jagatsinghpur: Political tussle over ‘Ravana Podi’ at Earsama has intensified as members of Earsama village committee have called for a 24-hour market bandh in Jagatsinghpur.

The bandh has been called in protest over dismantling of stage erected for Ravana Podi which was supposed to be attended by the senior leader Damodar Rout.

Rout's supporters have also demanded cancellation of a programme scheduled to be attended by BJD’s Balikuda-Earsama MLA Prashant Muduli today.

Sources said that Dama's supporters have met many locals in Earsama and requested them to refrain from attending the event.

Earlier yesterday, the Jagatsinghpur district administration dismantled a pandal erected by supporters of senior leader Damodar Rout for ‘Ravan Podi Utsav’ at the Anchalika Yuva Parishad ground.

"We had called both the groups to settle the matter amicably but it yielded no result. Therefore, we have deployed two platoons of police force to maintain law and order situation in the area during the 'Ravana podi Utsav'," said SP of jagatsinghpur, Prakesh R.

As per reports, the district administration declined to give permission to supporters of Rout to organise ‘Ravana Podi’ function and dismantled the stage in presence of police. Reportedly permission was given to supporters of Muduli to hold the function.