Even as the Union Ministry of Shipping and Water Resources on Monday recommended a CBI inquiry into the sinking of ship “Black Rose’ at Paradip, the BJP on Tuesday alleged a former BJD Minister and current MlA’s links with the incident.
BJP State vice-president Samir Mohanty said close links of a former Minister and current Jajpur MlA has been highlighted in media a number of times. Mohanty alleged that the MlA’s brother has business links with Black Rose ship enterprise and he was even seen with the Chief Minister during the centenary celebrations of the Jajpur Municipality.
“Doesn’t this mean that the CM has given protection to the persons involved in the incidentIJ” he questioned.
Similarly, Congress leader Ashok Samal blamed the BJD Government and said that when Black Rose sank nine years ago, involvement of a BJD leader was alleged in several media reports and later on the Crime Branch was handed over the probe. But the investigating agency is still silent on the issue.
“It’s surprising that the investigative agency is yet to trace the people involved. We hope that the CBI would unearth the truth,” Samal said.
On the other hand, Paradip BJD MlA Damodar Rout said, “As the local representative, I know everything about the incident. If the CBI asks, I will reveal whatever I know.”
However, BJD refuted the allegations saying it has become a tendency of the BJP to drag the ruling party and the Chief Minister into every issue.
“The Crime Branch was investigating the matter and the case is already pending in court. Now, the Shipping Ministry has written for CBI probe. It remains to be seen whether there will be an investigation or it’s just an eyewash and politically-motivated,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.
Notably, the Mongolian vessel Black Rose sank 5 km off the Paradip Port on September 9, 2009 due to unknown reasons. It is alleged that the vessel was engaged in illegal transportation of iron ore and other minerals with forged documents.