Union Ministers' convoy attack: BJP urges Governor to act

Bhubaneswar, Jun 25: BJP today alleged that attack on the convoy of two Union ministers at Bargarh took place in the presence and "active collaboration" of the police and local administration and urged Governor S C Jamir to direct the state government to conduct an independent probe and bring the culprits to book.

"The police was in the know as BJD had given prior notice and even issued a press release as to their intentions.

The plot was hatched by the ruling BJD before the proposed visit of a 'declared State Guest'," a memorandum submitted to Governor by BJP said. An 11-member delegation of state BJP today met the Governor a day after convoy of two Union ministers Santosh Gangwar, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda's was attacked by BJD supporters at Bargarh.

Terming the incident as a heinous attack, BJP said this was a case of "extreme intolerance" and a "complete breakdown" of law and order in Odisha. Stating that this is a gross violation of the federal system of India which believes that states and the Centre should work in tandem, BJP said the incident took place when the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for development of the state.

BJP in its memorandum alleged that the local MP and MLAs including minister Snehangini Chhuria planned this event and incited violence by BJD workers by giving provocative speeches like "We will not allow BJP ministers to enter the district".

"Though the police arrested the hooligans and local MLAs, they were later released without any action. This proves that it was a premeditated incident stage-managed by the police and local administration.

This would not have been possible without political clearance and active directions from the BJD supremo," it said. Noting that BJP, Odisha unit has lost faith on the state government and the police, they urged the Governor, as the representative of Union government, to take cognisance of the incident and direct the state government to conduct an independent probe and bring the culprits to book.

PTI