Rourkela: Many members of Rourkela Yuva Jagruti Manch, a local outfit, Monday staged a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Sector-2 here in the support of Muktikanta Biswal who walked all the way to the national capital to remind the Prime Minister of the promises he made four years back to the residents of Rourkela.
The outfit’s convenor Gopal Jena and his associates have drawn 10 ml of blood from their bodies and despatched it to the PM through a courier service.
“My blood may make the PM a bit sympathetic towards Muktikanta,” said Jena.
Members of some political parties and other organisations have supported Jena’s attempt.
Muktikanta walked about 1,500 km to remind the PM of his promises of a super specialty hospital and second bridge across river Brahmani. However, he began a fast at the gate of Jantar Mantar after failing to meet the PM. Delhi Police picked him up from the place and left him at Ramlila Maidan.
Flaying the attitude of Union tribal minister Jual Oram, Jena said Muktikanta didn’t walk to Delhi to gain publicity nor was he biased by any political party. His love towards the city made him travel to the national capital by foot, Jena added.
It is unfortunate that the minister couldn’t realise this fact. He would continue to send his blood to the PM until the latter meets Muktikanta, Jena said.
Meanwhile, the district Congress unit openly came out in support of Muktikanta with its workers demonstrating and burning the effigy of Oram at Bishra Chhak. They also submitted a memorandum supporting Muktikanta to the PM through ADM Monisha Banerjee.
“Steel City citizens won’t forget the insult meted out to the local youth at Delhi. Not allowing him to meet the PM is undemocratic,” the party leaders said.
District Congress president Rabi Ray, working president Sabir Hussain and former MLA Prabhat Mohapatra were among others who took part in the agitation.
PNN