local BJP MlA and former Minister Jayanarayan Mishra heckling police officials on duty during a pageant on the Hanuman Jayanti in the town here has raised eyebrows.
The intelligentsia is not quite happy with the hooliganism. Even a section of BJP is totally upset with the unruly attitude of the senior leader and is prepared to appeal before the party high command.
“This has tarnished the image of the party in public and all over the country after news telecast showing bites of Mishra roughing up police officers on duty,” said a BJP senior leader on condition of anonymity.
As per information, a procession of the Hanuman Jayanti was passing though a mosque at Pension Para in the heart of the town on Sunday night. The police officers on duty requested the participants to pass peacefully since it was also the prayer time of the Muslims. And that enraged some of the Hanuman Jayanti committee members and Mishra, in particular.
After hot exchange of words, Mishra went to the extent of heckling DSP (DIB) Jasawanta Senapati. When Jharsuguda SP, who is now in additional charge of Sambalpur district, Dillip Kumar Deo came to his rescue, he too was also not spared.
Mishra and his supporters allegedly blamed police for supporting a particular community and undermining Hindus and the Hanuman Jayanti procession. “Police was unable to control the rush and was inclined to a particularly community,” charged Mishra. But police rubbished the charge.As per latest report, no formal complain had been lodged against Mishra for hooliganism. Meanwhile, the supporters of Mishra are in a confronting mood to face any situation. “We will not tolerate any highhandedness of police, come what may,” they warned.