Even though Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra has sworn in the name of Maa Manikeswari, his native Kalahandi’s presiding deity, that he is totally innocent in the Mamita Meher murder case, opposition BJP and Congress on Saturday further intensified their agitation for his immediate dismissal and arrest.
Significantly, senior BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, in reply to a question at a Press conference, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik “may take action” in the Minister Mishra issue after due consideration of the facts. Patnaik has not spared any Minister in the past for any acts of commission and omission, he pointed out.
Opposition leaders questioned why Mishra in his belated statement remained silent on his association with Mamita case prime accused Govinda Sahu. Besides, they asked the Chief Minister why he has not responded to the serious allegations against a member of his Ministerial team.
The BJP observed bandh in six more districts on the day demanding arrest and dismissal of Mishra.
The visiting BJP national Mahila Morcha fact-finding team, after probing the Mamita murder case, alleged that the Naveen Ptanaik-led BJD Government has failed to stop crimes against women.
The Congress denounced the statement made by Minister Mishra denying his involvement in the Mamita case.
Youth Congress members tried to gherao the Naveen Niwas here demanding dismissal and arrest of Mishra. This led to a scuffle between the agitators and the cops.
