Bee attack disrupts Cong protest outside IAS officer’s home | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Imagine having your deep slumber in the comfort of your home cut short by some people screaming outside. The mere thought of it is enough to generate resentment. That could very well may have been the case with a swarm of bees, who decided to take matter into their hands and target members of the youth and student wings of Congress who were protesting outside senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi‘s residence at Forest Park area here on Monday, demanding his arrest in connection with a bribery case.
The swarm of bees — apparently enraged after their hive, located nearby, was disturbed — flew in and attacked the protesters who fled the spot and some even used the party’s banners as cover.
The incident left some of the protesters, and the police officers who were stationed at the spot, injured. But none required hospitalisation and once the bees flew away, the protesters assembled at the spot again, demanding Sethi’s arrest.
“We want action against the IAS officer, who is eluding the CBI’s notice. Why is he avoiding facing the investigation? This proves his nexus,” Congress worker Jyoti Acharya. The demonstrators alleged that Bridge and Roof Company Limited was mired in several controversies in the past for its alleged unethical practices.
“The Central PSU bagged many projects during the previous BJD govt. It seems that the Mohan Majhi-led govt is trying to shield the tainted IAS officer, whose ST&SC development, minorities and backward classes welfare department awarded several projects to the company,” Acharya added.
The protesters also sought the arrest of ST&SC development minister Nityananda Gond for the alleged corruption.
Gond rubbished the opposition’s charges and said, “Let the CBI complete its investigation and the truth will emerge soon. Our govt never promoted corruption. The illegalities that are being probed by the CBI happened during the previous BJD regime.”
Replying to a question on Sethi’s alleged link and whether the state govt would take action against him, the minister said nobody is above the law. “I do not want to comment on any individual. Law is equal for everyone,” Gond added.
Police have detained several protesters who attempted to enter Sethi’s residence by scaling the security barricades.
The swarm of bees — apparently enraged after their hive, located nearby, was disturbed — flew in and attacked the protesters who fled the spot and some even used the party’s banners as cover.
The incident left some of the protesters, and the police officers who were stationed at the spot, injured. But none required hospitalisation and once the bees flew away, the protesters assembled at the spot again, demanding Sethi’s arrest.
“We want action against the IAS officer, who is eluding the CBI’s notice. Why is he avoiding facing the investigation? This proves his nexus,” Congress worker Jyoti Acharya. The demonstrators alleged that Bridge and Roof Company Limited was mired in several controversies in the past for its alleged unethical practices.
“The Central PSU bagged many projects during the previous BJD govt. It seems that the Mohan Majhi-led govt is trying to shield the tainted IAS officer, whose ST&SC development, minorities and backward classes welfare department awarded several projects to the company,” Acharya added.
The protesters also sought the arrest of ST&SC development minister Nityananda Gond for the alleged corruption.
Gond rubbished the opposition’s charges and said, “Let the CBI complete its investigation and the truth will emerge soon. Our govt never promoted corruption. The illegalities that are being probed by the CBI happened during the previous BJD regime.”
Replying to a question on Sethi’s alleged link and whether the state govt would take action against him, the minister said nobody is above the law. “I do not want to comment on any individual. Law is equal for everyone,” Gond added.
Police have detained several protesters who attempted to enter Sethi’s residence by scaling the security barricades.