Jajpur: Jenapur Police have arrested four persons in connection with the recent group clash in the Dharmasala Assembly segment of Jajpur district. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) said that efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused and assured that further arrests would be made soon.
Following the incident, supporters of Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahu staged a sit-in protest in front of Jenapur Police Station, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The protest was withdrawn after the MLA assured them that the guilty would be brought to book. Meanwhile, BJD workers were also seen staging a demonstration in front of the Director General of Police (DGP) office over the same issue.
Reacting to the developments, MLA Himanshu Sahu addressed the media and categorically denied any involvement in the violence. “If anyone claims that I am involved in any kind of disturbance, let them produce evidence. If I am found guilty, I will accept punishment as per law,” he said. He further alleged that such incidents are being deliberately triggered only in Dharmasala, unlike the other 147 Assembly constituencies of the state.
The MLA also expressed concern over what he described as false allegations and provocative posts on social media, which, he said, were aimed at creating discord among people. He alleged that individuals were being instigated under the pretext of feasts, with liquor and meat being used to fuel tension in the area.
Taking a direct swipe at the Opposition, Sahu claimed that certain BJD leaders had turned violent after losing power. Commenting on the protest near the DGP office, he termed it “drama, rhetoric and irresponsibility,” and reiterated that the police should arrest anyone found guilty, irrespective of their political identity. He added that he was deeply pained and saddened by the incident that occurred on Sunday.
The clash took place near Panturi under Jenapur Police Station limits on Sunday, where supporters of sitting MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahu and former MLA Pranab Kumar Balabantaray came face to face. Several youths from both groups were injured in the violence, and multiple vehicles were vandalised.
According to sources, a picnic had been organised at the farmhouse of former MLA Pranab Balabantaray at Panturi in Gad Madhupur Panchayat, which was attended by some of his supporters. In the afternoon, supporters of MLA Sahu—identified as Sunil Panda and Nigamananda Das—were returning in a Scorpio vehicle from Chadeidhara towards Narsinghpur village when the two groups allegedly confronted each other due to past rivalry.
In the incident, Sunil Panda and Nigamananda Das sustained serious injuries, and their vehicle was damaged. With the help of local villagers, both were rescued and first taken to the Dharmasala Community Health Centre, before being referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.
MLA Sahu strongly condemned the violence and accused the former MLA of being unable to accept political defeat and resorting to provocative actions. On the other hand, former MLA Pranab Balabantaray said that upon receiving information, he rushed to his farmhouse and assessed the situation. He claimed that several of his supporters were also injured and that damage had been caused to property at the farmhouse.
Balabantaray alleged that he had lost faith in the police functioning, but stated that he would meet the DGP to apprise him of the entire matter. Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged at Jenapur Police Station based on the complaint filed by injured Sunil Panda.
Police said the investigation is underway and assured that strict action would be taken against all those found involved in the violence, regardless of political affiliation.
