Bhubaneswar, Jan 10 (NationPress) Odisha's Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has formally communicated with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, requesting the swift release of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives from Kirmira block in Jharsuguda district. These representatives were reportedly detained by local law enforcement in Sareipali, Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh.

In his correspondence, Patnaik raised alarm about a troubling event where PRI representatives, including Sarpanches and Panchayat Samiti Members from Kirmira block, were apprehended by Chhattisgarh police at the Sareipali police station in Mahasamund district.

Patnaik pointed out that these detained individuals were meant to engage in a no-confidence motion against the Kirmira block chairperson at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. However, they had been held since midnight, including Vishal Das, the son of former Odisha cabinet Minister Naba Das.

Patnaik has implored the Chhattisgarh CM to guarantee their immediate release and ensure their safe return to Odisha. He highlighted that a significant number of those detained are women PRI members, accentuating the seriousness of the situation.

A copy of his letter was also directed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging necessary actions to protect the detained PRI representatives.

Simultaneously, former Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das, who is the sister of Vishal Das, organized a protest at the district collector’s office in Jharsuguda on Friday.

With the backing of BJD workers, she expressed her discontent regarding the cancellation of the no-confidence motion against Kirmira block chairperson Bishnupriya Sahoo and the “unlawful detention” of her brother and PRI members.

Dipali accused the BJP-led Chhattisgarh administration of resorting to “dirty politics” and described the detention as an “assault on democracy.”

She asserted that the Chhattisgarh police conducted their actions without any warrants or substantiating evidence, branding the incident as a breach of both legal and democratic principles.

Vishal Das also called upon the Odisha government and state police to ensure the safety of those who were detained, affirming that the detention was unlawful.