The intraparty rift in the ruling BJD took a terrible turn in Athagarh sub-division of Cuttack district on Wednesday when members of one group hurled bombs while supporters of the other group were staging a dharna in front of the local block office.
Police said at least three bombs went off near the office, but fortunately no one was injured. While it was alleged that the miscreants were supporters of local BJD MlA Ranendra Pratap Swain, police were yet to identify the culprits.
The rift in the Athagarh BJD unit is wide open ever since a local BJD leader, Abhaya Barik, gained popularity and threw an open challenge to MlA Swain. Rallies organised by Barik in the area witness massive turnouts as a large number of BJD workers have changed allegiance.
Alleging development works in their areas are suffering, supporters of Barik on Wednesday gheraoed the block office and staged a dharna. While the officials were holding discussions with the protestors, bombs were hurled at a nearby place spreading panic and commotion in the block office.