Civil body demands Minister Anjali’s resignation

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding resignation of the Women and Child Development Minister Anjali Behera for her alleged involvement in a murder case, Odisha Vikash Parishad (OVP) staged a dharna in front of the Rajbhavan here on Friday. Later, a delegation led by president of the organisation Susant Padhi met the representative of the Governor and submitted a memorandum regarding the case.

In its memorandum, OVP said the former Chairman of Hindol Block, Nabaghan Sahoo, was murdered on May 14 last year. Before his death the Chairman filed a complaint near Superintendent of Police of Dhenkanal district that his life was in danger from the Minister Behera.

He had mentioned in the letter that the local Sarpanch Bijay Behera and Minister had planned for his murder. During the prosecution the letter was presented before the High Court. After the forensic test, it has been proved that the Minister was involved directly in the murder case, they alleged. The members of the Parishad requested the Governor for justice for Sahu.

Earlier, the BJP had staged a demonstration at Dhenkanal and burnt effigies of Behera in front of the collectorate urging the Government to initiate action against her for alleged involvement in the murder of Sahoo. After the demonstration at Dhenkanal, the BJP workers led by MP Rudra Narayan Pany also burnt effigies of the Minister in front of the office of Hindol sub-collector demanding her resignation. The Congress had also demanded an inquiry into the irregularities in the development works during Behera’s tenure.