Former Odisha MLA Pranab Balabantaray and his supporters experienced a shocking attack in Aruha village, Dharmasala tehsil, on their way to attend a religious ceremony dedicated to Maa Hingula.
Miscreants, allegedly under the direction of Independent MLA Himanshu Sahoo, targeted Balabantaray’s vehicle with sticks and lethal weapons, escalating tensions in the region.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, Jenapur police promptly intervened to restore order. Although shaken, Balabantaray followed through with his plans to visit the ceremony before returning home.
Balabantaray has accused the Dankari area’s stone mafia of orchestrating the attack, heightening concerns over unlawful activities in the region. Currently leading the Youth and Student Wings of the BJD, Balabantaray, son of late BJD leader Kalpataru Das, has served as MLA for Dharmasala in 2014 and 2019, leaving his supporters alarmed by the violent confrontation.
