It was a post-election clash between ruling BJD and Opposition Congress workers in Ganjam district. Hot exchanges of words between the rivals in the Gopalpur NAC area on Saturday afternoon took an ugly turn when the supporters of both parties pelted stones at each other injuring twelve persons from both camps. Out of the injured persons, seven were from the Congress and five from the BJD.
Immediately after the results of the elections to the NAC had been declared on Friday, Congress supporter Narasimhalu along with ten other party men went to the Gopalpur seashore and allegedly scolded BJD supporter B Rajeya in filthy language and on return from the seashore misbehaved with Rajeya’s family members. Rajeya then lodged a verbal complaint against Narasimahlu and his associates at the Gopalpur police station.
The Gopalpur police went to the house of Narasimhalu on Saturday afternoon to probe into the case. In the presence of the police, there was a scuffle between the supporters of both parties. The situation further aggravated when in the presence of the police, the rivals started pelting stones at each other forcing the police to resort to a mild lathicharge, sources said.
Sadar SDPO Harihar Pani and Gopalpur PS IIC Sushil Kumar Majhi reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Apprehending retaliation, four sections of police force have been deployed in the area to prevent any further untoward situation. On the other hand, Narasimhalu has alleged that BJD supporters have looted some valuables and destroyed his house. However, no formal FIR in this connection has been filed before the police yet. The situation in the area is still tense, sources said.