Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main Opposition party in Odisha, has targeted the BJP government over the alleged suicide of a Dalit youth at the Collector’s office in Kendrapara.

BJD MLAs Ganeswar Behera and Dhruba Sahoo alleged that the youth, identified as Srichandan Das, died by suicide at the Collector’s office as the officials concerned did to take any steps for redressal of his grievances.

Das, a resident of Raytunidi village under Derabish block in Kendrapara, was found hanging at the Collector’s office on Friday.

Preliminary investigation suggests that Das died by suicide by hanging himself from the railing of the staircase with the help of a cotton towel.

Sources claimed that Das was under severe mental pressure over some issues related to his landed properties. He had reportedly approached the Sub-Collector’s office several times for resolution of the issues.

“The Dalit youth was forced to take the extreme step as the officials did not take any step for redressal of his grievances. The incident has exposed how the BJP government, which claims to be a people’s government, has turned a blind eye to the problems of ordinary citizens. The incident raises serious questions about the administrative and security arrangements at the Collector’s office,” said Behera.

Sahoo, meanwhile, raised questions over the grievance redressal mechanism of the state government. “The BJP government claims that it has resolved 96 per cent of the grievances through its grievance redressal mechanism. However, the suicide of the Dalit youth has exposed the reality,” he said.

The Opposition party has sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased’s family and a thorough probe into the incident.

“The BJD will launch an agitation if the state government does not take immediate steps to conduct a high-level probe into the incident and initiate stringent action against the culprits,” Sahoo added.