Bhubaneswar: Puri district’s Satyabadi block chairperson Sunil Kumar Panda’s office was vandalised allegedly by BJP workers Wednesday over his reported remarks “equating ruling party members with dogs”, prompting the Opposition BJD in Odisha to claim that “anarchy has crossed all limits”.
The incident occurred on the Satyabadi Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office premises, which also houses the office of block chairperson Sunil Kumar Panda, a BJD leader.
BJD leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma alleged that BJP workers entered the office and damaged furniture. Police have neither registered a case nor arrested anyone, he alleged.
Sources said the BJP workers were protesting the Panda’s earlier remark at a meeting, which has gone viral. Panda had allegedly termed BJP members “dogs”.
Strongly condemning the vandalism, BJD president Patnaik, in a social media post, said, “Anarchy is crossing its limits; the violent incident caused by BJP workers inside the government office in Satyabadi has shocked the people of Odisha. I strongly condemn this.”
The Leader of the Opposition also asked why the state government was “repeatedly condoning such anarchy? Just because they are in power, will BJP workers enter government offices and commit violence? Will they vandalise people’s property?” Patnaik asked.
The BJD president alleged that Odisha was now being condemned across the country due to lawlessness.
“Why is the state government, in deep slumber, encouraging this?” he asked and alleged that no exemplary action has been taken against violent acts. “There is no place for anarchy and violence in peaceful Odisha. The people of Odisha will surely give a fitting response to this.”
Following the vandalism, Sunil Kumar Panda and committee members staged a sit-in outside the office premises, demanding the arrest of local BJP MLA Om Prakash Mishra and other accused.
PTI
