Attack on Union ministers' convoy: Rajnath Singh calls up Odisha Guv

Concerned over the attack on the cavalcade of two Union ministers in Odisha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called up Governor SC Jamir and CM Navin Patnaik and asked them to ensure safety and security of central leaders visiting the state.

The cavalcade of Union Ministers Santosh Gangwar and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda was pelted with stones allegedly by a group of ruling BJD workers, led by one MLA, when they were on way to attend a meeting in Odisha's Bargarh to mark two years of the NDA government.

In his telephonic conversation, the Home Minister asked the Chief Minister to look into the incident and take appropriate action to prevent such untoward incidents in the future. Singh also told Patnaik to ensure safety and security of Union ministers visiting the state.

In his phone call to the Governor, the Home Minister took stock of the incident and asked him to send a detailed report about the incident. Gangwar, who was also shown black flags allegedly by the BJD workers, said it was the responsibility of the state government to ensure safety of Union ministers. "If the state government can't protect a Union minister, how can it protect the common man," Gangwar said.