Gajapati/Jharsuguda: The Odisha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today has called for a 12-hour and 8-hour bandh in Gajapati and Jharsuguda districts respectively over the murder case of Mahalinga Sunshine Public School teacher Mamita Meher.
Reportedly, BJP has stated that “Odisha has witnessed a series of frightening crimes against women recently, but police have failed to arrest all the accused. Now in Mamita Meher murder case, the accused is not being punished the way it should be.” Hence, the party has demanded justice to deceased Mamita’s family.
Meanwhile in Jharsuguda, the 8-hour bandh has started from 6 am and will be effective till 2 pm. The party has demanded Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the murder case. All schools, colleges and markets have been shut except the emergency and essential services. The vehicular movement are affected due to the bandh.
It is to be noted that in both the districts, BJP has demanded removal of Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra over the arrest of Govinda Sahu in Mamita Meher murder case.
Earlier this month, Congress had announced that it would observe Odisha Bandh on November 12 if Minister Mishra does not resign from his post. OPCC spokesperson Mohanty also said that the party has appealed to people in order to support the bandh call for the sake of dignity and protection of women in the state.
On the other hand it is pertinent to mention that Minister Dibya Shankar broke his silence over the Mamita Meher murder case and refuted all allegations against him.
In a press note, Dibya Shankar Mishra said, “I am deeply shocked over the unfortunate death of Mamita Meher. I am in no way involved in the case. I attend the programs of the educational institutions as an MLA only.”
He dared the people who are alleging his involvement asking them to go to court if they have evidence of his involvement in the case. “Those who have evidence of my involvement in the case can give to the police or approach the court. I will not only resign from my post of ministry but also resign from politics. I request people not to indulge in fake propaganda for political motives,” the Minister said.
Besides, Mishra’s family members filed a defamation suit against two regional TV channels and one web portal claiming that the media houses are involved in false propaganda with an aim to defame them.
BJP had also observed bandh in other districts such as Boudh, Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Balangir and Kalahandi last month.
Ms Kalinga