Naveen Patnaik Expresses Anguish Over Minority Youth’s Killing in Balasore

Bhubaneswar: Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday expressed deep anguish over the killing of a youth from a minority community in Balasore district, allegedly over accusations of illegal cattle smuggling.

Patnaik conveyed his concern during a meeting of senior party leaders at Naveen Niwas. Acting on his directions, a high-level BJD delegation visited Balasore the same day to inquire into the death of Seikh Makarand Muhamad, a resident of Astia village under Balasore Sadar police limits.

Addressing the media, senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma said the incident was unprecedented in the otherwise peaceful history of Odisha. “The BJD president has expressed deep anguish over this heinous act. As per his instructions, a delegation led by MP Sulata Deo, senior leader and former minister Prafulla Samal, and Bhadrak Municipality chairperson Gulmaki Habib visited the victim’s residence in Balasore to meet the family members and interact with district police officials,” Das Burma said.

He alleged that the incident reflected a collapse of law and order in the state and pointed to a rise in attacks on minorities after the formation of the “double-engine” government. The BJD, he added, has strongly condemned the killing and sought a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the youth’s death.

Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das also criticised the state government, alleging that incidents of atrocities against minorities, Dalits and tribals have increased since the BJP came to power in the state.

According to the victim’s family, Muhamad, who worked as a helper on a pick-up van, was allegedly attacked by cow vigilantes on January 14, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital by police but later succumbed to his injuries. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.