LoP accuses minister of being involved in abduction case

Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra today accused a state minister of being involved in an abduction case during a cooperative society election in Bargarh district.
Raising the issue in the Assembly during zero hour, Congress' Mishra alleged that Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Snehangini Chhuria was involved in the abduction of a person during election to a Credit Cooperative Society in Bargarh district in January this year.
Rejecting the allegation as "baseless and politically motivated", Minister Snehangini Chhuria said outside the House that she was prepared to face investigation by any agency including crime branch or CBI.

"The allegation is false and politically motivated. I am ready to face any probe .. By crime branch or CBI. I have full faith in the judiciary," she said.
Mishra claimed though an FIR regarding the incident relating to abduction of the man belonging to Chhuria's rival group was lodged by the victim's family on January 25, it was registered on January 29 and the minister's name was "dropped" from the case by the police "under pressure".
Slamming the state government and the police on the matter, the senior Congress leader sought a reply from the government on the issue.