Bhubaneswar, 22 October (H.S.) Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has come out strongly in defence of former MLA and district president Bikram Panda, who was recently arrested in connection with the murder of senior advocate Pitabas Panda in Ganjam district. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, senior BJD legislator Pramila Mallick accused the state government and police of acting under political influence and failing to curb rising crime in the region.

Mallick alleged that in the past 16 months, the government has “completely failed to maintain law and order,” with Ganjam district witnessing a sharp increase in criminal activities. She claimed that the police have “now become a puppet in the hands of the government” and are shielding criminals.

Mallick further accused Minister Vibhuti Jena of backing rampant sand smuggling operations in Ganjam, stating that Bikram Panda had earlier written to the Chief Minister demanding Jena’s dismissal from the Cabinet. “The government is simply echoing what the SP says. The SP has fabricated a story to protect the BJP government and Minister Vibhuti Jena,” she alleged.

Denying any involvement of Bikram Panda in the Pitabas Panda murder case, Mallick claimed that he had not made any phone calls related to the incident and was being framed as part of a political conspiracy linked to the upcoming Nuapada by-election. “The BJP knows BJD’s victory in Nuapada is certain, and that’s why Bikram Panda is being made a scapegoat,” she added.

The BJD leader further alleged that Minister Bibhuti Jena is the real mastermind behind the murder, demanding that the police identify and arrest the actual culprits.

Supporting her statement, BJD leader Bhrigu Baxipatra slammed the police for arresting Bikram Panda “without any concrete evidence.” He said, “The Berhampur SP keeps changing his version every few days — it’s clear they are trying to build a false narrative.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda