Mango kernel hurled at Orissa CM's convoy

KASHIPUR (ORISSA), SEPT. 6 Dried mango kernel were hurled at the convoy of the Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, during his visit to this block in Rayagada district to assess the situation there following the alleged recent starvation deaths of 19 tribals. Tension mounted at Tikiri, a panchayat headquarter, as the Chief Minister's convoy arrived on its way to Bilamala village with angry people demonstrating against the administration's ``failure'' to provide Below Poverty Level (BPL) cards to the villagers.

Though police escorted Mr. Patnaik to Bilamala, about five km from Tikiri, the crowd obstructed the car of the local BJD MLA, Mr. Bibhisan Majhi, and heckled him, accusing him of neglecting the constituency. Mud was thrown at the car. Mr. Majhi managed to reach Bilamala with police escort.

As tension rose, with inhabitants of the nearby Jhadiasahi village bent upon making their point before the Chief Minister, the latter was detained at Bilamala village for nearly an hour. His carcade could pass Tikiri only after police reinforcements were rushed. But some people hurled dried mango kernel at the passing vehicles.

- PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Nitish clips Digvijay's wings?
Next     : No water for now: Karnataka