Jajpur: Unidentified miscreants Saturday night attacked Right to Information (RTI) activist Sarbeshwar Behura near Imamnagar village in Jajpur district leaving him and two others grievously injured.
Behura and two of his two associates Sushant Kumar Behera and Balaram Das were returning to Jaraka in his car from Kabatbandh area when they were attacked by two miscreants riding motorcycles. They hurled bombs at the car and fled the scene.
The critically injured trio was first rushed to Dharmasala community health centre (CHC) and then shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
The attack on an RTI activist has been condemned by people from various walk of life.
Notably, Behura not only opposed the illegal stone quarrying at hills such as Dankari, Aaruha, Bichhakhandi but also took the matter to various forums. many of his cases are subjudice in Orissa High Court, NGT and Lokayukta. The district administration and tehsil administration have also been asked to deposit their respective reports on the issue.
Similarly, alleging the breach in the Ramapur embankment incident that took place last year, he took the issue to Lokayukta. Following the direction from the Lokayukta, the Vigilance department is conducting an investigation into the allegation.
According to advocate Udayanath Sahu, the miscreants have targeted Behura for him taking up various issues with the High Court and Lokayukta.
On receiving information, Jajpur SP Rahul PR visited the spot and the police have launched a probe.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has condemned the attack on Behura and his associates. Party leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar demanded DGP’s intervention in the case.
PNN