Odisha Congress president escapes unhurt in attack; speaks to media
BHUBANESWAR: Armed miscreants attacked the vehicle of Congress state president Niranjan Patnaik in Keonjhar district on Sunday evening. Niranjan, who was present in the SUV, escaped unhurt.
Niranjan’s vehicle was passing near Kashipur when a group of people in another vehicle waylaid Niranjan and attacked his personal security officer as well as his driver.
“We have registered a case on the basis of a complaint lodged by Niranjan’s personal security officer. One of the attackers has been identified. Motive of the attack is being examined,” a senior police officer said.
Niranjan said the attackers were drunk. “I don’t think the attack was politically motivated by our rivals. The goons were drunk. When they overtook our vehicle in a rash manner, our driver waylaid them and asked them to drive safe. They attacked my staff,” Niranjan said.
Congress workers staged demonstration in front of the office of Keonjhar district collector, demanding immediate arrest of the accused. “Recently, a BJP leader and his relative were murdered in Cuttack district. Now, our leader has been targetted. If the police do not arrest the accused, we will intenfisy our protest,” a Congress leader said.