Bhubaneswar: A delegation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) demanding intervention of the Election Commission of India (ECI) into the alleged physical assault on a journalist on duty by BJP leader Prasant Jagdev at Chanagiri, Jankia in Khordha district on Thursday.
In the memorandum, the BJD has alleged that on Thursday during a padyatra of BJP’s Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha MP candidate Aparajita Sarangi at Chanagiri in Jankia, a few media persons who were covering the event asked a few questions to BJP leader Prasant Jagdev.
Jagdev got angry and snatched away the mobile phone of journalist Prakash Hati, District Correspondent of Naxatra News and Khordha District President of Odisha Union of Working Journalists (OUWJ) and physically assaulted him.
Hati was severely injured in the neck, back and right leg. Jagdev also threatened to kill Hati apart from abusing him in filthy and derogatory language.
Hati then registered an FIR at the Jankia police station. When Jagdev came to that Hati had filed an FIR he called up the IIC of Jankia police station and threatened him that if he did not tear off the FIR then he along with his supporters would gherao the police station and cause rampage.
Jagdev also threatened the IIC to get him transferred and ensure punitive action through the ECI.
The BJD enclosed photographic and videographic evidence apart from the copy of the FIR filed by journalist Hati in support of their allegation.
The BJD has demanded ECI for immediate intervention and strong action against BJP leader Jagdev.
