**Athagarh:** A local journalist Santosh Kumar Barik (correspondent of an Odia news channel) on Thursday has alleged bloody attack meted out to him by the supporters of local BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain alias Raja Swain on Wednesday before the party office and demands the party supremo to sack him from the party.
Talking to media on the day, Barik narrated, “Yesterday, our local MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain and Urban Development Minister Pushpendra Singhdeo were on their Athagarh official tour to lay foundation stones for different projects. Some Congress youth activists resorted to black flag protest. While I was covering this news footage, the BJD workers present there threatened me to bump off. Later, when I was returning home, the BJD workers attacked me following which I sustained serious injuries. I was admitted to the Athagarh Hospital. After my condition deteriorated, I was shifted to Cuttack SCB Medical. After recovering a bit, I’ve reached home a short while ago. Apart from condemning it, I appeal the Chief Minister to sack this rowdy MLA from the Biju Janata Dal.”
On the contrary, talking to OMMCOM NEWS over phone, Padarabinda Tripathy, IIC, Athagarh Police Station said, “There is no involvement of the local MLA nor has any political link as has been alleged. However, we’ve registered a case against two boys named Munda and Chitta as per the FIR filed by the victim Santosh Barik and investigating into it. The two accused are co-villagers of the compalinant. It’s an outcome of personal dispute. The FIR has not mentioned the good names of the accused duo nor the names of their fathers. The incident took place two and half kilometer away from the police station and before the party office.”
OMMCOM NEWS tried to reach the MLA and Minister for their reactions on the development, but could not get despite concerted efforts.