Workers and supporters of the Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) on Saturday staged a rally in front of the State Assembly protesting party secretary general Jagneswar Babu’s arrest.
Besides, OJM president Pyarimohan Mohapatra on the day met Governor SC Jamir in connection with Babu’s arrest and demanded action against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The party workers and supporters came in a procession from th Ram Mandir Square to the lower PMG shouting slogans against the BJD Government’s “conspiracy” against Babu. later, a delegation met the Governor and handed over to him a memorandum regarding Babu’s “illegal” arrest.
During the rally, the workers burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and condemned him for misusing power to harass a prominent political activist.
“It is an attack on the democratic system of the State and reflects the autocratic rule of the Chief Minister,” said Amiya Pandab of the OJM, adding, “The BJD Government is trying to arrest the leaders of the OJM with political intention.” Meanwhile, the hearing of the bail petition of Babu was deferred to Monday by the court. Babu, who was arrested by the Vigilance police on May 1, has been lodged in the Jharpada jail here.