Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the violent attack on the residence of former Dharamshala MLA and senior BJD leader Pranab Balabantaray.
In a statement, Naveen said miscreants forcibly entered Balabantaray’s house, vandalised property and carried out a life-threatening attack on his supporters.
He expressed grave concern that the incident took place in broad daylight, yet the police administration and the state government have remained mute spectators.
The silence of the police and the government, and the failure to take action against anyone so far, is shocking, the BJD President said, questioning the apparent inaction despite the seriousness of the crime.
He further alleged that the BJP government is allowing an atmosphere of anarchy and goonda raj” to flourish in the state. “What message does the BJP goernment want to give by patronising lawlessness? Peace-loving people of Odisha will never accept this, he asserted.
Naveen demanded immediate and stringent action against those responsible for the attack, urging the authorities to restore law and order and ensure justice.