Hatadihi/Ghasipura: Even as electioneering for the ensuing three-tier panchayat elections is picking up steam across the state, the situation in some areas of Keonjhar is reportedly turning from bad to worse due to bitter political rivalry.
Five persons were wounded in a violent clash at Kalinga panchayat under Nadipada police limits late Monday night while police booked over 20 persons following complaints from both the sides.
As the situation continues to be volatile, police were deployed in the village.
According to reports, a meeting of Shalabania villagers was held to maintain peace during the polls.
After the meeting, two youths had escorted one villager Kalindi Sahu up to Shalabania bazaar.
However, some youths of a rival group attacked the two youths, who were later rescued by villagers and admitted to the local hospital.
Minutes later, people of two groups resorted to brick-batting at each other. Five persons – Bipin Kuanr, Pratap Barik, Gopinath Barik, Abhimanyu Kabi, Jaladhar Saha– were injured.
A villager identified as Sridhar Behera lodged a complaint against Jogendra Behera (husband of sarpanch candidate Sebati Behera) and 10 of his supporters.
Jogendra Behera’s supporter Abhimanyu Kabi filed a counter complaint against the rival group. Sridhar and his supporters alleged that most of the villagers support the candidature of Sridhar, which Jogendra is unable to stomach.
An ATM was damaged during the violence. IIC Laxmidhar Behera said two cases were registered while strict vigil is being maintained on the unfolding situation in the village.
A report from Ghasipura said Congress workers blocked NH-215 Tuesday in protest
against an attack on a party worker by some ruling party supporters at Ganpur panchayat under Ramchandrapur police limits.
It was alleged that some ruling party workers had assaulted Congress supporter Sanjay Rout February 5. Some local people had gone to the police station but they were attacked there too, it was alleged. PNN
