Bhubaneswar: A group of BJD workers allegedly attacked Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Odisha president Abhilash Panda and 20 others in Bhadrak district today.

A group of at least 100 Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers allegedly attacked Panda and 20 other local BJP youth activists near Khapuria Square at Karanjamal panchayat under Bansada police limits in Bhadrak district. The vehicles of Panda and other BJP youth activists were damaged in the attack.

Panda sustained injuries on his head. All injured persons were shifted to a Community Health Centre (CHC) at Basudevpur.

It has been alleged that Karanjamal Sarpanch Ramesh Nayak, ward members Dhusa Mandal and Sankuru Majhi, school teacher Mana Mohanty and local contractor Sudarshan Mallik were involved in the attack on Panda and other BJYM activists.

Other BJD workers including Dilu Nayak, Mantu Nayak, Dulia Mallik, Nityananda Mallik, Lulu Mallick, Dhusasan Ghadei, Akhaya Nayak and Ramesh Chandra Behera were also involved in the attack.

Seeking action against the accused, more than 200 BJP workers staged a dharna on Bhadrak-Dhamra road.

Notably, BJYM is the youth wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Panda reportedly went to Bhadrak to campaign for the BJP ahead of the last phase Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha.