Kendrapara: Tikhiri Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha, who had been undergoing treatment since June 11, was discharged from hospital on Thursday and announced plans to stage a dharna in front of the Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP) office if her demands are not met.
Ojha said she would begin the protest on June 24, alleging that she had not received justice from either the district SP or the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) concerned. She informed that letters outlining her grievances have been sent to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Inspector General (IG) of Police.
In the letters, the sarpanch has sought action against seven persons allegedly involved in the dispute as well as against certain police officials. She claimed that despite approaching authorities, no satisfactory action has been taken so far.
Ojha also levelled serious allegations against the medical authorities who treated her. She alleged that documents related to her admission between June 11 and June 13 had not been provided and claimed that she had not received discharge papers for the initial phase of her treatment. According to her, medical officials also failed to furnish certain test reports.
Further, she alleged that a doctor had handed her over to the police against her will. Ojha stated that she would not leave the medical facility until all relevant documents were provided.
Meanwhile, Mahakalapada Block Development Officer (BDO) Rabinarayan Acharya broke his silence on the controversy after eight days and offered his version of the events that led to the dispute.
The BDO said Ojha had recorded a video inside his chamber despite being asked not to do so. He further claimed that none of the individuals who entered the chamber on the day of the incident had obtained prior permission.
According to Acharya, an argument broke out between two groups inside the office, prompting him to lodge a complaint with the police.
Refuting allegations related to pending official dues, the BDO stated that no bills of the sarpanch were pending. He stressed that all issues should be resolved at the earliest so that normal functioning of the block administration could resume.
The controversy has triggered significant political and administrative attention in Kendrapara, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the incident. Authorities have not yet issued any detailed response to the latest allegations and demands raised by the sarpanch.
