Political tension intensified in the Tangi-Choudwar block of Cuttack district on Wednesday after some journalists filed a police complaint over Arindam Roy’s social media remarks.

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On the other hand, BJP leaders Arindam Roy and Abhaya Barik visited the block office today following a call from the Block Development Officer (BDO). They reached the office to raise various public grievances and local development-related issues concerning the area.

According to officials, the BDO accepted the complaints submitted by the BJP leaders and assured them that necessary investigations would be carried out before appropriate action is taken. Meanwhile, the Tehsildar informed that the pen-down protest, which had been continuing at the block office for the last four days, has now been withdrawn.

The issue gained attention after an incident on May 15, when BJP leader Arindam Roy, along with several party workers, allegedly surrounded the Assistant Block Development Officer (ABDO) at the Tangi block office. The BJP leaders had accused the local administration of not inviting party representatives to Panchayat Samiti meetings and various other government programmes.

However, the controversy had escalated further after Arindam allegedly made objectionable remarks against journalists on social media. Following the comments, some members of the journalists’ association lodged a formal complaint against him at the Tangi-Choudwar police station.

The journalists alleged that Arindam’s remarks insulted the dignity and credibility of media professionals. In his social media post, he allegedly stated that some media houses might have received small amounts of money per view for broadcasting news related to the Tangi block incident and used that money to buy rice for their square meals. The statement had triggered strong resentment among journalists in the region.

As a mark of protest, the journalists arrived carrying rice, potatoes, and brinjals, intending to hand them over to the BJP leader in symbolic opposition to his remarks. The incident has sparked political debate and renewed discussions over the relationship between politicians and the media.

No comments were received either from Arindam or the journalists in this regard.