The firing at BJP Yuva Morcha Bijepur president Manoranjan Meher’s house on Sunday night at Pada village under the Bijepur police station in Bargarh district heated up the political atmosphere in the State on Monday.
BJP State general secretary Bhrigu Buxipatra told mediapersons that the party would hold demonstrations at all district headquarters on Tuesday to protest against the incident.
The BJP alleged that the incident was the handiwork of labour Minister Susanta Singh, which was denied by the Minister, who said it was an excuse by the BJP to delay holding of the Bijepur Assembly by-poll.
A BJP delegation led by party's State president Basanta Panda met Home Secretary Asit Tripathy and apprised him about the incident.
later, Panda said, “Eyewitnesses heard the attackers taking Minister Singh’s name." The ruling BJD is trying to terrorise political rivals at gun point before the Bijepur bypoll. We requested the Home Secretary to ensure safety and security of political workers and ensure that the by-election is held in a free and fair atmosphere,” he said.
Earlier in the morning, as the news spread like wildfire hundreds of BJP workers led by MlA Pradeep Purohit staged a demonstration in front of the Bijepur police station demanding arrest of the culprits.
The BJP has threatened to intensify agitation till the culprits are caught.
Notably, some unidentified miscreants fired three rounds at the house of Manoranja at Pada village on Sunday night. Though no one was injured, two bullets hit the wall of the house and one bullet pierced the entrance door.
BJP MlA Pradip Purohit said Susanta had lodged a police complaint against Manoranjan accusing the latter of verbally abusing him and had threatened to teach him a lesson. "There are strong reasons behind suspecting the Minister's involvement. We are demanding action against all culprits including the Minister," he said.
However, BJD spokes person Pratap Keshari Deb said “The incident is being politicised by BJP. law is equal for all and it will take its own course. As there is a by-poll in the future, the BJP is intentionally blaming the BJD for its benefits,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.
Meanwhile, Padampur SDPO laxminaryan Panda said the police have formed three teams and started to trace the Bolero vehicle which was used in the incident.