Nayagarh: A family in the Radhapatna village of Jemadeipur Patna panchayat in this block has been ostracised by fellow villagers for allegedly displaying the BJP flag atop their house, a report said.
Sridhar Behera, the victim, was boycotted by the villagers as he couldn’t pay the penalty of Rs 5,000 imposed on him by a committee. “We are facing a lot of problems due to the boycott of the villagers,” said Sridhar.
According to reports, Sridhar’s wife Sanjukta Behera got a ticket from the BJP and contested panchayat polls for the post of sarpanch. But she lost the election.
Earlier, a meeting was held in the village, and it was decided that none of the villagers would display party flags atop houses. All villagers obeyed the decision.
But during an election rally some BJD party workers put up their flags on their houses. So Sridhar decided to put up a BJP flag on his house.
Sridhar said some people suddenly turned up in July 2017 and removed the flag from his terrace. Later, he was fined Rs 5,000 at a meeting held September 15. Though he opposed the decision saying that others had also displayed party flags, his argument was rejected, said Sridhar.
Another meeting was organised September 23, 2017 in which the villagers decided to boycott the family. They also threatened other villagers with a fine of Rs 10,000 if anyone maintains ties with the Beheras.
Though it has been nearly a year since Sridhar was ostracised, he didn’t lodge a complaint with the police fearing backlash.
Meanwhile, many citizens condemned the administration for keeping mum on the issue.
When contacted, village president Jugal Kishore Sahoo said Sridhar was asked to pay Rs 5,000 for abusing others at the meeting. As he refused to pay others are not speaking to him, Sahoo added.
Sridhar’s wife also abused some people and a complaint was lodged with the police, he added.
Sadar IIC Manorama Mallik couldn’t be contacted on the matter.