BJP Delegation detained while entering Sambalpur

Sambalpur: On Tuesday, a BJP delegation led by Union Minister Bisheswar Tudu, MPs Jual Oram and Suresh Pujari, MLAs Nauri Nayak, Shankar Oram, and Kusum Tete, and state BJP chief Manmohan Samal and his predecessors Samir Mohanty and Basanta Panda were denied entry into the strife-torn Odisha town of Sambalpur.

According to sources, the delegation was stopped by police near Sripura Chhak on the Jharsuguda-Sambalpur border while on its way to the district headquarters town to assess the situation. The BJP leaders planned to meet with those injured in the April 12 and 15 violence, as well as members of the Hanuman Jayanti Samanwaya Samiti and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner.

They were later taken to the Thelkuli police station.

"The local administration does not want us to meet with the victims and their families for fear of exposing the machination." "This is like an unannounced emergency," BJP leader Suresh Pujari said.

He also stated that despite the SP's admission that the stone-pelting incident was planned, no action has been taken against the wrongdoers. "The delegation was halted to answer difficult questions on the subject," he explained.

Pujari stated that the delegation had received permission to visit Sambalpur the day before. "I will investigate the collector's order, and if it constitutes a breach of privilege, I will move a motion in Parliament against it," he added.

Tudu described the last-minute change in permission as unfortunate. "The district administration and the chief of police should be suspended," he demanded.

Samal claimed that Naveen Patnaik had ordered the arrest of BJP leaders. "The government has strangled the rights of police officers and citizens, as well as the fundamental rights of elected officials."

Earlier in the day, the district administration extended the suspension of internet services for another 24 hours, until 10 a.m. on Wednesday. However, the curfew was relaxed until 1 p.m. during the first half of the day.

On the eve of Hanuman Jayanti, on April 12, Sambalpur witnessed a clash between two communities during a bike rally. During the clash, stone pelting injured 10 police officers and around 12 Hanuman Jayanti coordination committee members, including its working president Damodar Kar. There were reports of new violence two days later during a Hanuman Jayanti rally in the town. 85 people have been arrested so far in connection with the arson and violence.