BJP condemns police action on innocent women

Bhubaneswar, Sep 05 (UNI) BJP national vice-president Juel Oram today alleged that innocent and aged women in Kandhmal were tortured and arrested by the police yesterday for demanding relief.

'' We are shocked to learn that the aged women were lathicharged and arrested by the police without any evidence of their crime, '' Mr Oram, who led a ten-member BJP delegation to the riot-hit Kandhmal said.

He said the police action came when the team was discussing the situation with the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.

Soon after the incident, the authorities reclamped curfew in four places, including Tikabali, which witnessed the police action on the women.

Mr Oram said at least eight women were seriously injured and admitted to the Phulbani Hospital.

The BJP delegation alleged that a particular community was being provided with relief and other assistance, while the general public, particularly the daily labourers, were facing much difficulty to eke out their living.

The district administration and the police, the delegation alleged, were distributing relief on their whims and regretted that even after 13th day, police had failed to nab the assailants responsible for the killing of Swami Laxmananada Saraswati and four of his disciples.

Stating that dishonest persons from a particular community were taking the advantage of the relief fund, the BJP demanded suitable action against them.

UNI DP SJC KLC1801