A day after former Banta block Congress president Suresh Chandra Rout died in a road accident, irate Congress workers and leaders resorted to agitation keeping the dead body in front of the Superintendent of Police (SP) here on Monday alleging that he was murdered by rivals and demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.
The protest was led by former PCC president Jayadev Jena and senior Congress leader Ananta Sethy.
They alleged that Rout (55) was killed by his opponents in Palasa gram panchayat under Bant block in the district. Rout’s family members have pointed fingers at the BJD.
As per reports, an unidentified vehicle dashed against the motorbike of Rout, a former sarpanch, at around 9.30 pm at Barhampur Chhak on Sunday night. He was declared brought dead at the Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
Another Congress worker of Mahulgadia village, Sankashan Rout, the pillion rider, was seriously injured in the incident. He was also admitted to the DHH in a critical condition.
On the fateful night, Suresh Rout was returning to his village Manguli along with Sankarshan from Chhayalasingh Bazaar.
“The BJD has been targeting Congress leaders and workers. The Bhadrak case is not an isolated one. Everywhere in the State, our workers are being targeted,” said Jayadev Jena.
However, following the assurance of the SP, the protestors called off the strike.