Bhubaneswar: Protests demanding removal of Minister of State, Home, Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the murder of teacher Mamita Meher are expanding to every nook and corner of the state and outside.
Keeping up pressure on the state government over the issue, opposition BJP and Congress have intensified their agitations.
The BJP Tuesday observed a 12- hour dawn to dusk bandh in Sambalpur demanding a CBI probe into the murder of Mamita Meher and removal of the minister from the Council of Ministers.
The party also demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the family of the deceased school teacher.
The BJP had already observed Kalahandi bandh and Bolangir bandh on the issue and is planning to observe bandh in other districts in the state in the coming days to intensify its agitation.
The two-day gherao of all SP offices across the state by the BJP Yuva Morcha in support of their demand began Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a 15-member BJP delegation led by state BJP president Samir Mohanty met Mamita’s family at their residence in Jharani village of Bolangir district.
Holding a presser, Mohanty said there are hundreds of Gobinda Sahus roaming freely on the streets. The time is ripe to crush them before they could do any harm to another Mamita, he said.
Senior BJP leader and former DGP Prakash Mishra raised the questions on the police probe, saying the entire episode of Gobinda Sahu fleeing police custody to his being found from a sugarcane field reeks of conspiracy.
“It’s a cycle of conspiracy. Why was Gobinda brought to Titilagarh barracks and how did he manage to flee custody? Not only Gobinda but big fishes should be caught,” asked Mishra.
Hundreds of Chhatra Congress activists Tuesday marched to Naveen Niwas and scuffled with police. During the face-off, the activists broke the barricades and hurled tomatoes and eggs at on-duty cops.
Later, the cops overpowered them and picked up some protesters.
In Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the police probe into the murder of the 24-year-old has led to the arrest of the institute’s administrator Govinda Sahu who allegedly ran a sex racket exploiting woman employees.
PNN