The Milita Odisha Nisha Nibaran Abhijan (MONNA) on Tuesday condemned and protested the police excess and firing on Sunday last on the anti-liquor protesters at Namatara village under Rajkanika police station. About 100 activists on Tuesday took out a procession from the New Bus stand to the Collector’s office. later, they held demonstration there demanding release of the arrested persons, proper treatment and compensation to the injured, arrest of the accused police personnel and their dismissal from job, cancellation of all the e-licence of liquor shops in Kendrapara district and an inquiry into an unholy nexus between the liquor trader, ruling party leaders and police department.
Gandhian leader and convenor of MONNA Padma Charan Nayak said, “If the district administration delays to take proper steps to fulfill the demands, then a mass agitation would be held in the district.” Similarly, left parties, including CPI, CPI (M), CPI (Ml) and SUCI condemned the act of police excess and firing in the district. They demanded stern action against the police personnel involved in the unfortunate incident. A BJP team led by MlA Basant Panda and party’s district president Duryodhana Sahu also visited Namatara village and took stock of the situation. Sahu demanded transfer of the IIC of Rajkanika police station and the district SP among others.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, one Sudhir Charan Mohanty of Nageswar Tangi lodged an FIR at Kendrapara Town police against former Minister and former BJD MlA of Aul Pratap Keshari Deb, district Collector Pramod Kumar Das and SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye alleging them to be responsible for the incident. Mohanty along with other social activists demanded before the town police to register a case and arrest the accused after conducting an inquiry.
Kendrapara Town police station IIC Pramod Kumar lenka stated that he would take steps after discussing with his higher ups.