It is so understood from an irresponsible reply given by him to a question of Argus News reporter on Monday. While the reporter asked the Minister to comment on the BJP’s proposed March 20 Assembly Gherao programme in protest against police inaction against him, the Minister got irritated and said, “Tamar Kichhi Kama Dhanda Nahin Ki” (Don’t you have any business to do?)
It is not the first time the Minister avoided a question of Argus News. Earlier, he completely avoided questions on Mahanga double murder case at Sundargarh and Kuchinda. He had once even asked in a threatening voice to know who the Argus News reporter was at a Press meet, held at Pallahada in Angul district.
According to information, a case under Section 302 has been registered against Jena at the Mahanga police station vis-à-vis the murders of BJP leaders Kulamani Baral and Dibyasingha Baral a few months back. Jena was listed as 13th accused in the FIR filed by Kulamani’s son Ramakant Baral.
It is worth mentioning that a prime accused in the case, Prafulla Biswal, was found dead on the road near a stockyard owned by a member of Minister’s family. Earlier, he had reportedly told Ramakant Baral, son of deceased Kulamani, over phone that Minister Pratap Jena implicated him.