In a glaring example of VIP highhandedness, Kotpad Congress MlA Chandra Sekhar Majhi on Wednesday tried to enter into the State Secretariat through gate no. 1 by a scooter flouting the security norms.
When Special Security Battalion (SSB) personnel at the gate prevented him, he allegedly misbehaved with them.
At that time Kendrapada BJD MlA Kishore Chandra Tarai, who was coming out of the Secretariat, took up cudgels on behalf of Majhi and argued with the security personnel. It was also alleged that he too tried to assault them.
It might be mentioned that entry by two-wheelers and by foot through gate no. 1 is forbidden.
later, Majhi refuted the allegations of misbehaviour with the security personnel and said he had an argument with them. He did not know that entry by a two-wheeler through the particular gate was prohibited.
He said that by stopping him the security personnel have undermined his dignity.The MlAs, whether they are by a two-wheeler, a rickshaw or on foot, should be allowed entry throughany gate.The security personnel at the gate said if the CCTV footages are scrutinised, everything would becrystal clear.
However, intellectuals said since Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has the Home Department portfolio with him, always says law would take its own course, it remains to be seen what action he takes against the MlAs for breaching the security norms of a vital installation like the State Secretariat.