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BJD Leader Alleges Attack by BJP Supporters in Odisha
Pranab Balabantray is a leader of the BJD party in Odisha.
He says a group of armed people attacked him and other party members during a march in Jajpur district.
He also says three vehicles were damaged.
He accused people linked to the BJP and Independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo.
The BJP’s district president rejected the accusation and called it false.
Sahoo could not be reached for comment at the time.
Balabantray asked the police to investigate, but the district police chief said no formal case had been filed yet.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik criticized the incident, and party workers called for action.
The report does not establish who carried out the alleged attack.
BJD leader Pranab Balabantray alleged that armed people attacked him and party workers during a Jan Sampark Padyatra in Jajpur district.
Balabantray said around 40 to 50 people carrying weapons assaulted them and damaged three vehicles; the allegations have not been independently confirmed in the report.
He filed a police complaint seeking an FIR and an impartial, time-bound inquiry; the Jajpur SP said no FIR had been lodged so far.
BJP district president Debajani Pradhan denied the allegations, calling them false, while Independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo was unavailable for comment.
BJD president Naveen Patnaik condemned the incident, and BJD workers demonstrated outside the SP’s office demanding action.
- Who
- BJD leader Pranab Balabantray alleged that he and BJD supporters were attacked by armed people he said were linked to the BJP and supporters of Independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo.
- What
- An alleged assault during a BJD march, with three vehicles reportedly damaged; the allegations are disputed.
- Where
- Madhupurgada gram panchayat, in the Jenapur police station area of Jajpur district, Odisha.
- When
- Around 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 4; the report does not specify a year.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. The BJD asked police to investigate whether the incident was politically motivated.
BJD’s allegations
BJP’s denial
Responsibility for the alleged attack
BJD’s allegations
Balabantray alleged that armed people associated with the ruling BJP and supporters of Independent MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo attacked him and other BJD leaders.
BJP’s denial
BJP district president Debajani Pradhan dismissed the allegations as false. Sahoo was unavailable for comment.
Political context and response
BJD’s allegations
The BJD called for an investigation into whether the incident was politically motivated and demanded evidence be examined and action taken.
BJP’s denial
Pradhan said BJD leaders were making false allegations because they feared the BJP’s popularity in Jajpur district.
Key facts
- Complainant
- Pranab Balabantray, a BJD leader and two-time former MLA
- Event
- BJD’s Jan Sampark Padyatra
- Location
- Madhupurgada gram panchayat, Jajpur district, Odisha
- Alleged attackers
- Balabantray attributed the attack to armed people linked to the BJP and supporters of Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo; BJP district president Debajani Pradhan denied the accusation.
- Reported damage
- Three vehicles
- Police status
- Jajpur Superintendent of Police Yash Pratap Shrimal said no FIR had been lodged so far.
- Police request
- Balabantray sought an FIR, protection, and a time-bound, impartial inquiry.
- Political response
- Naveen Patnaik condemned the alleged attack; BJD workers demonstrated outside the SP’s office.
Quotes
Pranab Balabantray
BJD leader and former Dharmasala MLA who alleged he was attacked.
“Around 40-50 people carrying swords, axes and other weapons assaulted me and other BJD leaders with the apparent intention of causing serious injuries. Three vehicles were also damaged in the attack.”
theprint.in
“Deadly attacks are being carried out on people’s representatives in broad daylight and the police are silent, the government is silent — Is goondaraj reigning in Odisha?”
theprint.in
Sources
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