BJP activists showed black flags to Odisha Forest & Environment and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Aurakh in Phulbani of Kandhamal district on Sunday.
According to Kandhamal district BJP sources, 14 party workers were taken into custody in this connection. Mr Aurakh was on his way to flag off a marathon in this district headquarter town as part of Biju Patnaik birth centenary celebrations.
A group of BJP workers showed him black flags at Gandhi Square of Phulbani town. The policemen present at the spot snatched away the flags from the BJP activists and rounded them up.
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The BJP workers said that they would continue to show black flags to BJD Ministers in all parts of the State.
The BJP activists have been showing black flags to State Ministers since Union Minister Santosh Gangwar’s motorcade was attacked allegedly by the BJD workers in Bargarh on June 24. On July 29, some BJP workers involved in showing black flags to two State Ministers at Manamunda in Boudh district were attacked allegedly by the BJD activists, including an MLA. The BJP is continuing the agitation throughout the State demanding arrest of the accused.
The marathon for Biju Patnaik birth centenary was, however, run peacefully on Sunday without any further untoward incidents. Several BJD workers and people from all walks of life took part.
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The Minister was on his way to flag off a marathon as part of Biju Patnaik centenary celebrations