Cops launch Crackdown on Rs 10 Meal in Bhubaneswar

The policemen in Bhubaneswar, assisted by some alleged BJD cadres, launched a massive crackdown on the Rs 10 Rice and Dalma food outlet at the Capital Hospital premises and even assaulted the man Sanjay Kumar Das (48) who dared to challenge Naveen Patnaik’s Rs 5 ‘Aahar’ scheme.

Sanjay has been selling Rice and Dalma along with fried vegetables under the banner of ‘Ama Ghara Healthy Food’ scheme at Capital Hospital, Railway Station, Baramunda Bus Stand and Nayapalli, but the cops and ruling BJD cadres saw it as a direct threat and challenge to Odisha Government Rs 5 Aahar scheme.

Sanjay’s food stall was vandalised, the food were thrown away and he was taken to the police station and even assaulted there. However, the cops had to release him when many voluntary and rights organisations gathered outside the police station, held demonstration and sought his immediate release.

Zonal ACP Aseem Kumar Panda denied the allegations that Sanjay Das was beaten up at the police station. He also rejected the arguments that Sanjay was detained because of Rs 10 Rice, Dalma scheme. “Das was detained on the complaint of an auto-rickshaw driver, who levelled assault charges against the food stall owner.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Das has clarified that he has been selling the food with the prior permission from the BMC. He has decided to approach the State Human Rights Commission to seek justice.