Berhampur: Ahead of second-round elections in Odisha, a BJP worker was killed in an alleged clash with BJD supporters at Srikrushnasaranpur village under Khallikote block in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Wednesday night.
The deceased has been identified as Dilip Pahan. Khallikote police on Thursday arrested eight persons in this connection. The arrests came after Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal directed the Ganjam Collector and SP to take immediate measures to stop any kind of violence and bring peace in the region.
According to sources, the clash took place over putting up party banners as part of electioneering in the village and left eight men from both sides critically injured. The injured were immediately rushed to Khallikote Community Health Center and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here as their condition deteriorated. However, one of them succumbed while undergoing treatment.
The BJP supporters said that they earlier worked for BJD but joined the BJP following the death of Khallikote queen. They alleged that the supporters of the ruling party have been opposing them and around 25 bike-borne of them pounced on them with sharp-edged weapons while they were putting up saffron party banners in their area.
In his condolence message, Chief minister Naveen Patnaik said such incidents of violence have no place in our democracy and society. “I strongly condemn this incident. My deepest condolence to the family who have lost their loved one and praying for early recovery of those who sustained injuries,” he wrote on X. Naveen added that police will take strong and exemplary action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on the other hand, alleged that the ruling party was resorting to violence for fear of losing the elections. “I strongly condemn the attack on BJP workers by BJD workers. I am saddened by the death of our party activist. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. People of Odisha will give a befitting reply through the ballot. Election officials and police administration should immediately investigate the incident and take action against the culprits,” he tweeted, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse people protesting in front of Khallikote police station, demanding arrest of all accused involved in alleged the murder of the BJP worker. Section 144 of the CrPC has been clamped around the police station, the sources added.
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