Odisha Minister's kin attacked ahead of bypoll

Odisha Labour Minister Susanta Singh's brother and three of his associates were attacked by a group of unidentified men in Bargarh district, police said on Friday.

The attack took place in Banabira village late on Thursday, the police said.

They suspect that the attack on the Minister's brother and others might be related to the Bijepur assembly bypoll scheduled on February 24.

Banabira village is in Bhatli assembly constituency, represented by Susanta Singh. It is 20 km from Bijepur.

Police said Subrat Singh was on his way with the other persons when unidentified miscreants intercepted their four-wheeler and attacked them and fled the spot.

The injured were initially taken to community health centre at Sohela and later shifted to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sambalpur.

Biju Janata Dal spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party orchestrated the attack on Singh as they fear losing the Bijepur bypoll.

The BJP has rubbished the allegations.

"BJP doesn't believe in violence. The ruling party's allegations are baseless and politically motivated," said BJP state General Secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra.

--IANS

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