Odisha Congress leader Ranjit Raj dies after being hit by truck

A senior Congress leader was killed on Wednesday in a road accident at Duburi Chhak in Odisha’s Jajpur district after being hit by a truck. The deceased has been identified as Ranjit Raj, who was serving as the vice-president of Jajpur District Congress Committee.

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Following the fatal accident, tension prevailed in nearby areas as angry locals staged a road blockade, demanding action and accountability. The protest severely disrupted vehicular movement on key routes, affecting connectivity to Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Chandikhol, and Jajpur town.

On being informed by some locals, a police team reached the spot to manage the situation and restore traffic, while further details regarding the circumstances of the accident are awaited. The incident has triggered widespread shock and grief among political circles and local residents.

“It is a matter of deep sorrow and big misfortune that our long-associated colleague and a dedicated Congress worker, Ranjit Raj, has died in a road mishap. A truck mowed him down,” senior Congress leader and former OPCC chief Sarat Pattanayak said to OTV.

“The news of his demise has perturbed all of us. For quite a long time, he was the president of the Sukinda Block Congress Committee for more than a decade. Recently, he was appointed as the vice-president of Jajpur district Congress,” the former OPCC chief stated.

“He was very sober and a gentleman. He had worked for the party when Congress was not even in power. His sad demise has created a void in the Congress and is a great loss for the people of Sukinda,” Pattanayak added when contacted.