Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi held for ‘beating'

NABARANGPUR: Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi was arrested last night for allegedly beating up Kosagumuda BDO Dhanurjaya Hembram and ransacking the block office. According to reports, Information Technology Minister Ramesh Majhi inaugurated an SHG conference hall at Kotagaon village in the block yesterday. The plaque of the new building did not have the name of Congress legislator Majhi, although he represents the area. After the Minister’s departure, there was a conflict between irate Congressmen led by Majhi and BDO Hembram over the issue. In an FIR, Hembram claimed that some Congress activists had allegedly beaten him up and locked him in his office chamber. He was later rescued by his staff and admitted to a hospital. Receiving information, District Collector Sivabrata Dash and SP Prafulla Barik visited the spot and confirmed Majhi’s involvement in the incident. Following this, police arrested Majhi but had to admit him to the district headquarters hospital after he complained of chest pain. The SP said that other accused include the Chairperson of the block Dasami Randhari, block Congress president Dharmu Singh, former Zilla Parishad member Sanjib Bisoi, are all absconding. On the other hand, Majhi alleged that the BDO had misbehaved with him. Stating that the name of Majhi should not have been omitted, Congress MP and State Youth Congress president Pradeep Majhi said the officials were acting like the office-bearers of the ruling BJD. “The officer concerned is responsible for the incident,” he said. The Congress and the BJD in the district are now at loggerheads over the issue. Demanding immediate release of Majhi, Congress workers led by ZP president Bhagirathi Naik blocked NH-201 at Papadahandi disrupting communication to Umerkote and Bhawanipatna. Similarly, the BJD workers called for a bandh at Kosagumuda demanding resignation of block Chairperson Dasami Randhari and arrest of all the Congressmen involved in the incident.