Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high at Dharmasala in Jajpur district when former sarpanch of Pakhar panchayat allegedly drove his SUV into a rally being taken out by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA candidate Pranab Kumar Balabantaray, on Monday.
The mishap has left four BJD supporters injured. One of them got his leg fractured in the accident.
According to sources, the incident occurred when the BJD’s MLA candidate was taking out a bike rally on National Highway 53 near Osara village under Dhamasala police jurisdiction on Monday afternoon. The accused sarpanch Dilip Behera reported to have fled the scene following the mishap.
The incident sparked tension in the locality as BJD supporters ran amok. They ransacked Dilip’s market complex and his office. The agitators ransacked four dumpers of Dilip.
Upon being informed, Jajpur Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Dharmasala police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
Jajpur SP said, “We have launched an investigation into it and take action against the accused responsible for the pre-poll violence. We have taken enough measures to ensure violence-free polling in the district and we will ensure that will happen.”
Police have launched a manhunt to nab Dilip and registered a case based on a complaint filed by the ruling BJD.
