Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday stated that whoever is found guilty in the recent violent incident in Dharmasala, Jajpur district, will face punishment, regardless of their affiliation.
The minister emphasised that the government has granted full autonomy to the police for an independent investigation, as directed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The incident occurred on Sunday at the farmhouse of former Dharmasala MLA and senior BJD leader Pranab Kumar Balabantray. A clash erupted between supporters of Balabantray and those of the current Independent MLA from Dharmasala, Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, during a BJD social media team meeting. At least 15 people were injured, five seriously, and several vehicles were vandalised.
Harichandan said the police are taking immediate action wherever law and order is disrupted in the state, with arrests being made promptly. He stressed that the Dharmasala case should not be politicised and that the police will act without any pressure. “Some individuals are protesting to safeguard their political existence,” the minister remarked, adding that appropriate steps will be taken regarding issues raised by the former MLA.
The violence has sparked protests from both sides, with BJD workers demonstrating outside the DGP’s office in Bhubaneswar demanding arrests, while supporters of the Independent MLA protested at the local police station.
