Protesting the district administration’s direction to ration cardholders to return their cards if they have gained the cards without meeting the criterion, the block Congress unit gheraoed the Nuagada block office in Gajapati district on Monday.
The activists suddenly went violent after that and started ransacking the block office shouting various slogans, alleged Block Development Officer (BDO) Kshirabdi Behera. “They damaged the office main gate, doors and windows of various chambers and furniture in the chamber of the BDO,” said an official of the block office.
When police tried to stop them, the activists manhandled and also thrashed the police personnel and the BDO and other block officials.
“It is mandatory that the agitators should inform police and the concerned department in written form before staging any protest. However, the Congress activists without informing anyone suddenly gheraoed the block office and later ransacked it,” alleged the BDO.
A complaint has been filed with the police for necessary action, Behera added. Deputy Collector Anama Charan Patra is also inquiring into the matter.