Rourkela: In a significant development, the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended party leader and Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) representative Prakash Paswan for alleged indiscipline and violation of party discipline.

Paswan, who is also a state executive member of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), was suspended following the direction of BJP Odisha president and Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal.

State BJP Disciplinary Committee convenor Sudarshan Nayak confirmed the action, stating Paswan was suspended on charges of misconduct and breach of party discipline.

Paswan’s suspension comes amid a controversy surrounding the seizure of firearms and the arrest of suspected criminals from the Rourkela Circuit House on August 14.

Police had seized four guns, 11 live rounds and four magazines from the Circuit House and arrested seven alleged criminals. 

According to reports, the premises had allegedly been used as a hideout by the accused for more than 20 days.

Questions were subsequently raised over Paswan’s alleged direct or indirect involvement in providing shelter to the accused and facilitating the booking of rooms at the Circuit House.

Meanwhile, police have taken three of the accused on remand for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. 

Efforts are also underway to trace and arrest other suspects who are allegedly absconding.