Bhubaneswar, Oct 7 (UDN): Tension prevailed at the Basudevpur block office in Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Tuesday after a group of agitated ration card beneficiaries allegedly detained a Supplies Inspector inside her office during a protest.
The situation escalated following complaints over difficulties in adding names to ration cards. Police and the Assistant Block Development Officer (ABDO) later reached the spot and rescued the official.
Beneficiaries Protest Over Ration Card Issues
According to the protesting beneficiaries, they had repeatedly visited the office seeking the addition of family members’ names to their ration cards.
They alleged that Supplies Inspector Madhusmita Senapati was not accepting their requests and was turning applicants away on the grounds that the online portal was not functioning.
Frustrated over repeated visits, a group of beneficiaries gathered outside the office on Tuesday and staged a protest. The demonstration reportedly turned unruly, with protesters shouting slogans and throwing papers around the premises.
The situation took a serious turn when the beneficiaries allegedly prevented the Inspector from leaving the office.
Applicants Allege Repeated Delays
One of the applicants, Niranjan Agasti, alleged that his son’s name had been removed from the ration card after the elections and that he had been making repeated attempts to have it restored.
He claimed that he had visited the office for several days but was allegedly given different reasons for the delay each time.
Another applicant, Kuntala Tarai, said ration cards were important for families seeking access to healthcare benefits and alleged that applicants were facing difficulties in adding their children’s names.
Police, ABDO Intervene
Following information about the escalating situation, personnel from Basudevpur police station and the ABDO reached the block office.
They intervened and brought the situation under control before rescuing the Supplies Inspector from the office.
No official response was immediately available from the Supplies Inspector or the block administration regarding the allegations raised by the beneficiaries.
Further details regarding the incident and the action, if any, against those involved are awaited.