Odisha minister’s kin attacked, critical

Bargarh: Unidentified miscreants attacked Odisha labour minister and BJD leader Susanta Singh’s brother and three of his associates at Banabira village of Bargarh district hours before the crucial Bijepur byelection late Thursday night, leaving them grievously injured. The attack has triggered a political war of words as the BJD accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack.

All of the injured were initially rushed to community health centre at Sohela and later shifted to VIMSAR Medical College and Hospital in Burla as their condition deteriorated.

The police has arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in the attack and seized a live bullet from the spot.

According to reports, Subrat Singh, the minister’s brother, and three others — Kartik Nag, Magi Shah and Khageswar Mahamallik — were intercepted by around 20 persons while they were travelling in a car.

The miscreants then attacked and fired at them before fleeing the spot. They also damaged the vehicle by smashing its windshield with bricks.

“The attack was fallout of rivalry between two political groups. While three persons have been arrested, two police teams have been formed to nab others involved in the incident,” said additional superintendent of police (SP) Jashobanta Senapati.

Condemning the attack, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Violence has no place in a democracy. The people of Odisha are peace loving. I strongly condemn the cowardly act that took place yesterday night.”

BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb alleged that the BJP orchestrated the attack on Mr Singh as they fear losing the Bijepur bypoll.

The BJP has rubbished the allegations. “BJP doesn’t believe in violence. The ruling party’s allegations are baseless and politically motivated. The minister’s brother has criminal antecedents. The attack on him could be fall out gang wars,” said BJP state general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra.