The arrest of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Bikram Kumar Panda and his associates in connection with the murder of BJP leader Pitabas Panda has led to a heated exchange between the two parties. Senior BJD figures held a press conference on Wednesday, asserting that the arrest of former MLA and current Ganjam district BJD president Bikram Panda was motivated purely by political agendas. They alleged that Gopalpur MLA and State Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena was implicated in the murder case, claiming that Bikram Panda was intentionally framed to protect the State government and the minister from scrutiny. The BJD representatives criticized the Berhampur police for failing to provide substantial evidence linking Bikram Panda to the crime.
BJD leader Pramila Mallik noted that under the BJP’s governance over the past 16 months, the law and order situation has worsened considerably, with Ganjam district recording the highest rates of crime. She reported 152 rape cases and 128 murder cases in Ganjam during this timeframe. Mallik also highlighted a rise in illegal sand mining in the region, which has led to numerous violent incidents. She claimed that there have been recurring allegations of Gopalpur MLA Jena’s involvement in the illegal sand trade. Following the murder of BJP leader Pitabas Panda, initial inquiries suggested that illegal sand mining could be a motive, with Minister Jena’s name surfacing in connection with the investigation.
In response, State Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari deemed the BJD’s allegations unfortunate, stating that the Berhampur SP had thoroughly detailed the conspiracy behind the murder, including efforts to protect those responsible for the BJP leader’s death. Pujari asserted that if the BJD continues to deny its leaders’ involvement, they are denying the truth and inadvertently promoting criminal behavior.
