Bhubaneswar, March 13: The ruling and Opposition Congress members today traded charges in the state assembly on the issue of the murder of an 11-year-old schoolboy in Pattamundai on March 7.

The boy was kidnapped for ransom on March 4. His body was later recovered from the Hansua river in Rajnagar. The incident triggered tension in Pattamundai township, with local people taking to the streets in protest against inept handling of the case.

While the ruling party members alleged that Congress leaders were involved in the murder, the Congress said the issue should not be politicised. “Criminals don’t belong to any political party. Stringent action should be taken against them,” said Opposition chief whip Prasad Harichandan.

Appealing to leaders not to politicise a murder case, Harichandan said: “I will donate my month’s salary (Rs 60,000) to the bereaved family. If police had taken timely action, the life of the boy would have been saved. Though the incident of kidnapping and murder has increased over the years, police have failed to initiate action to curb these crimes.”

On the other hand, BJD MLA Alekh Jena said the Congress leaders were involved in the murder.

Demanding a crime branch inquiry into the incident, Jena said: “The Pradesh Congress Committee president should resign over the issue and the party should pay Rs 5 crore to the bereaved family.” The main accused Sujit Pradhan is a student Congress leader of the area.

Ruling party MLA Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said: “Congress leaders tried to suppress the fact as its activists were involved in the crime.”

Supporting Nayak, BJD member Pramila Mallik said action should be taken against the accused.

Amar Prasad Satpathy demanded that the chief minister issue a statement on this issue. BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathi said the case should be handed over to a fast track court, and the hearing should be completed in a month.