Ruckus during PEETHA program: Sarpanch 'attacked by minister's supporters'

Cuttack: Ruckus continues to surface during State government's PEETHA programmes after the Sarpanch of Gatiroutpada panchayat in Cuttack today alleged that some supporters of MLA and Sports Minister Chandrasarathy Behera attacked her and her family members during the programme.

As per the statements of sarpanch Laxmipriya Swain, some miscreants allegedly beat her up and also thrashed her husband and son during a PEETHA programme in their village. Swain alleged that she suffered a fracture, while her son sustained a critical head injury in the attack.

Following the incident, the sarpanch lodged a complaint at Chauliaganj Police Station alleging Sports Minister Chandrasarathy Behera’s involvement in the incident.

“Today we had an LED bulb distribution programme under the PEETHA scheme but one Amar Sahu, his two sons and a few others attacked us mercilessly. They are all supporters of Sports Minister Behera," the sarpanch alleged.

However, Behera refuted the allegations saying that police will probe the matter and all the charges against him are baseless.