In a significant development, Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD) Rourkela unit president Minati Debata was arrested and forwarded to court here on Saturday.
Police arrested Debata for allegedly involving in a clash with a BJD youth leader, Prakash Paswan. They had reportedly quarreled over some party matter while attending a lunch at the Sector-9 Sarala Temple on Thursday.Youth leader Prakash Paswan, arrested earlier in the case, was also forwarded to court on Saturday, said DSP PK Rout.
Sources said Debata lodged an FIR in the Rourkela Sector-19 police station soon after the clash. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Paswan from the spot.Angered over Paswan’s arrest, BJD leaders Minati Biswal, Basanti Das and Ashok Panda along with several people of the Gopabandhu Pali area went to the police station and demanded that Paswan’s complaint be received also.
In the same night, Paswan fell unconscious and was admitted in the ICU of the Ispat General Hospital here. On being informed, the Paswan supporters alleged that he fell unconscious as police severely beat him.Police then received Paswan’s complaint, said some BJD supportes. In another complaint Paswan had also alleged that Minati Debata's husband Atulya Chandra Debata had threatened to kill him in front of police. On Friday evening, hundreds of BJD supporters staged a demonstration in front of the police station, demanding Debata couple’s arrest.
“Minati Debata has been arrested and forwarded to court. We will also arrest her husband Atulya Debata,” said Rout.