Even as the port town Paradip has turned to be highly crime-prone, the intra-ruling BJD bickering between Paradip MlA and Minister Damodar Rout and Jagatsinghpur party president and Rajya Sabha member Bishnu Das worsened in the wake of the murder of a stevedoring company manager on Wednesday.
Criminal activities are on the rise in Paradip as they are promoting criminal elements, said Das indicating his bête noire Rout and the latter’s supporters.
In reaction, Rout said he has nothing to do with the criminals. “I told police officers to ensure peace in Paradip. I too raised the law and order issue in the State Assembly. What can I do thenIJ” Rout said and lamented that Paradip has become a criminal-infested town.
When asked to comment on Das’ claim that criminal elements are being promoted in the port town, Rout said, “Se abaanchchita loka sahita mote tulana kara nahin (Don’t equate me with that useless man).”
Meanwhile, Central Range IG Soumendra Priyadarshi visited Paradip to take stock of the situation. “Four teams have been formed to conduct investigations into the killing of the stevedoring firm manager. Investigations would be conducted from both personal and professional angles,” said Priyadarshi.
See also Page 3: Firm manager shot dead in Paradip