Post News Network
Puri, Jan 4: Tension erupted at Swargadwar here Sunday after two groups — one in support and the other against the demolition of late chief minister Biju Patnaik’s memorial at the crematorium — faced off.
The face-off took place even as a local Rudra Prasad Singh filed a police complaint against MP Prasanna Patasani, alleging that the MP has openly threatened to kill his brother.
The Orissa Lok Dal staged a dharna near Swargadwar urging the court to reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, members of the Swargadwar Surakhya Manch, a local organisation, arrived at the spot and shouted slogans demanding demolition of the memorial.
The local police rushed to the spot and prevented a clash.
Meanwhile, Singh filed a police complaint alleging that Patasani has threatened to kill his brother. “My brother had moved court objecting to the construction of the cemetery at Swargadwar. Patasani told mediapersons recently that anyone who would protest against the cemetery would be eliminated.” Singh alleged.
However, the MP claimed that his statement was misinterpreted by the media. “The media has misinterpreted my comments. I have not said so. There should be no politics over the issue,” Patasani said.
A Puri civil court had December 27 ordered the Puri district collector and Puri municipality to demolish the Biju Patnaik Samadhi at Swargadwar within three months.