Jharsuguda, Apr 24: Death of Odisha health minister Naba Das’ cook Lalit Sahu has become a tug-of-war between the BJP and the ruling BJD here. The district administration on Sunday clamped Section 144 of Cr.P.C in front of the Town police station and on the stretch from Jhanda to Dharmasala chowk in view of the demonstrations called by both the parties in connection with the incident.
The prohibitory orders have been clamped as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. As per the restrictions, no demonstration, rally and dharna will be allowed within 100 mts radius of the prohibited area.
Demanding a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Lalit Sahu, the BJP has earlier announced to observe a dharna in front of Jharsuguda Town police station. Similarly, another dharna has been called by Sachetan Nagarika Mancha and other social organisation led by Tapas Ray Choudhry of BJP.
Despite restrictions, activists of both the parties assembled near Jhanda chowk following which several workers taken into preventive custody by police, said Prasanna Pandey, executive magistrate.
BJP leader, Dinesh Jain alleged that the administration clamped the restrictions at the behest of BJD to suppress the voice of BJP.
BJD leader, Tapas Ray Choudhry, on the other hand, said, “the family of the deceased had lodged a complaint alleging harassment by BJP leaders. Today, we had announced to stage a dharna demanding action as per the complaint filed by Sahu’s family.”
Lalit was working as a cook in the Jharsuguda residence of Odisha Health Minister Naba Das. On April 17, he was found hanging in the Minister’s residence.
