Dhenkanal, April 13: Dhenkanal MLA Nabin Nanda has threatened to launch a hunger strike in front of the office of the superintendent of police here from May 2.

The MLA has alleged that a false criminal case had been lodged against him at Gondia police station on April 2. Sources said a meeting was held at the MLA’s village in Nagena on April 1 for the formation of a village committee for a local school. The meeting was aborted after a heated exchange broke out between supporters and opponents of Nanda. This sparked off tension there. The quarrel between the two groups had resulted in two houses being burnt down by the warring groups. Both the groups had lodged complaints and counter complaints with the Gondia police station accusing each other of indulging in violent acts.

One of the complainant, Barun Naik, alleged that the MLA and his brother had led the mob that had set houses on fire. Sources said the local police station in-charge had refused to accept the complaint. Later, a case was registered in which the MLA’s name was also mentioned. Supporters of the MLA alleged that the police station in-charge had buckled under pressure from the district superintendent of police. Speaking to The Telegraph, Gondia police station in-charge Ashok Das said Barun Naik of village Nagena had lodged the FIR.

Describing the FIR as false and fabricated, Nanda, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an ally of the BJD, said: “It (the allegation) was baseless and deliberate. It was an attempt to tarnish my image. How can I become an accused in the case when I was at Dhenkanal town till midnight on that night in connection with Utkal Diwas celebrations?”

Demanding cancellation of the FIR, Nanda has issued an ultimatum to superintendent of police Satish Gajviye that he would sit on a fast from May 2 to protest against the issue. Nanda said that he had informed the Speaker of the Assembly, home secretary, director-general of police and DIG of north central range, about the incident.

Refuting the allegation, Gajviye asserted that he did not act under any pressure. “The FIR has been lodged on the basis of the complaint. Let the investigation take place and the truth will come out. Law is equal for all,” he added.