BJP holds rally, protests ex-B'pur Mayor's arrest

The BJP organised a rally here on Monday protesting arrest of its leader and former Brahmapur Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Shiva Shankar Das ahead of a BMC Ward bypoll. Party leaders alleged that Das has been booked under serious charges concocted by the ruling BJD. Thousands of party workers led by BJP spokesperson and former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly Rama Chandra Panda and Ganjam district president BK Swain marched from party office at Courtpeta to the SP office holding party flags and shouting slogans against police atrocities.

They staged a silent dharna at the SP office covering their mouths with black badges.The National Highway from the Kamapalli Square to the Medical Square was jammed with party workers and thus vehicular movement was disrupted. later, the leaders submitted a memorandum addressed to the State Election Commission, Secretary to the State Human Rights Commission, the RDC (Southern division), DG Police and the Union Home Minister demanding a probe into Das’ ‘unlawful’ arrest.

The memorandum also demanded that BJP leaders be given adequate security to campaign for the party candidate for the Ward No-26 by-election.

They alleged that the police withdrew security of the former Mayor at the behest of the ruling BJD and arrested him in a barbarous manner hours after the date of bye-election was fixed for March 10.

“The local police at the instance of the BJD leaders are constantly threatening BJP workers overtly and covertly and implicating them in false cases thereby polluting the atmosphere of free and fair election,” the memorandum said.