Ward member ‘abducted’ minutes earlier than naib sarpanch election

By Express News Service

JAJPUR: A ward member was allegedly kidnapped by his rivals minutes earlier than election to the publish of naib sarpanch in Panasa gram panchayat right here on Friday.

Manoj Kumar Rout, member of ward no-12, was reportedly assaulted earlier than being kidnapped by supporters of his rival political social gathering. Rout, who’s a supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was launched by the abductors within the night.

The ward member’s spouse lodged a grievance with Jajpur Town police by which she named seven individuals as accused. 

“A group of people led by Balaram Mahalik, Susanta Ghadei, Ramesh Patra, Dusmant Das, Ashok Barik, Manas Ghadei and Bharamarabar Mahalik assaulted my husband when he arrived at the panchayat office for the naib sarpanch election at around 10 am. The accused then kidnapped him. They have abducted my husband to prevent him from voting in the election,” alleged Rasmita, Rout’s spouse. Sources mentioned police personnel have been current close to the panchayat workplace when the abductors forcibly took away Rout in a car. As information of the kidnapping unfold, Rout’s supporters and villagers gathered at Jajpur Town police station. They raised slogans in opposition to the police alleging inaction within the case.

Jajpur Town IIC Ajay Kumar Jena mentioned basing on the FIR,  a case was registered. The kidnapped ward member was rescued within the night. “We conducted his medical examination at the district headquarters hospital. Investigation is underway and police have launched a search for the accused who are on the run,” he added.

Meanwhile, election to the naib sarpanch publish was postponed attributable to need of quorum. While 11 ward members are required for quorum, solely 9 have been current on the panchayat workplace on the day.