Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Dec 15: A fierce political confrontation left several people seriously injured after rival groups clashed at Panturi village under Jenapur police jurisdiction in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Sunday.
The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the farmhouse of senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Dharmasala MLA Pranab Kumar Balabantaray, where his supporters had gathered.
According to accounts, the violence erupted between followers of Balabantaray and supporters of the sitting Dharmasala MLA. Balabantaray alleged that while 30 to 40 BJD workers were having lunch following a meeting, supporters of the Independent MLA forcefully entered the premises and launched an unprovoked attack.
He claimed that the attackers assaulted people present at the farmhouse, vandalised nearby houses, and went on a destructive spree, damaging more than a dozen vehicles, including cars and motorcycles. Mobile phones used to record the violence were also allegedly smashed.
“Four critically injured persons have been shifted to Cuttack for advanced treatment, while over 20 others are being treated at the local Community Health Centre,” Balabantaray told reporters. He further blamed what he described as sustained police inaction for the growing lawlessness in the Dharmasala region.
Police officials confirmed that two separate cases have been registered based on complaints from both sides and that a detailed investigation is underway. However, no arrests had been made at the time of reporting.
In response to the incident, Balabantaray, along with several senior BJD leaders and party supporters, staged a sit-in protest outside the DGP Camp office in Bhubaneswar, demanding swift and strict action against those responsible.
This is not the first such incident involving the former MLA. In April this year, Balabantaray was reportedly targeted in another attack allegedly carried out by supporters of Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo. Although his vehicle was damaged in that incident, he escaped unharmed.