Jamshedpur: Police file FIR against 56 people following attack on Geeta Koda 

Jamshedpur: In a shocking turn of events, MP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Singhbhum Lok Sabha candidate Geeta Koda faced a harrowing attack during her poll campaign in a village within her constituency. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of political candidates amidst the ongoing election fervor.

 The attack took place at Mohanpur village, situated within the jurisdiction of Gamharia police station in the home district of Chief Minister Champai Soren, Seraikela-Kharsawan. According to reports, Koda and her convoy were confronted by an armed crowd, consisting of six named assailants and over 50 unknown individuals.

 The district administration’s flying squad team (FST) swiftly responded to the situation by lodging a case against the perpetrators. Another case was filed against five to six unidentified individuals for violating Section 144 and carrying arms without permission, indicating the severity of the incident.

 Eyewitnesses recounted how the mob, armed with a range of weapons including bows, arrows, pickaxes, sticks, and axes, obstructed Koda and her convoy from entering the village. Allegedly, they cited support for a rival political bloc as the reason for barring the BJP candidate’s entry into the village.

 The situation escalated as the mob proceeded to gherao Koda and her supporters for over two hours, subjecting them to harassment and intimidation. It wasn’t until around 4:30 pm that law enforcement authorities intervened to rescue Koda from the volatile situation.

 Describing the ordeal, Koda expressed outrage over the blatant attack on democracy, labeling it as a “murder of democracy.” She highlighted the presence of criminal elements who, under the guise of political allegiance, resorted to violence and intimidation tactics.

 Koda’s account painted a distressing picture of the events, detailing how supporters were manhandled, and women’s clothes were torn off amidst the chaos. The incident underscores the urgent need for ensuring the safety and security of political candidates and their supporters during election campaigns.

 As investigations into the attack continue, questions regarding the motive behind the assault and the identities of the perpetrators loom large. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges posed by political violence and the imperative of upholding the principles of democracy.

 The BJP candidate’s ordeal has elicited condemnation from various quarters, with calls for swift action to bring the culprits to justice and safeguard the democratic process. In the midst of a fiercely contested election season, incidents like these serve as stark reminders of the fragility of democracy and the importance of preserving its sanctity.

 Meanwhile, State BJP has demanded proper security arrangements for the party’s candidates during their campaigning.