Bhubaneswar, Jan. 27: The Malkangiri district administration today ordered a probe into the alleged show of disrespect to the national flag on the Republic Day during food and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Das Burma's visit to the district.

Das Burma had hoisted the Tricolour in Malkangiri on the Republic Day.

The incident had taken place outside the Malkangiri circuit house. While the minister was in the circuit house, his enthusiastic supporters put up a huge BJD banner resembling the national flag on the welcome arch at the entrance of the building. However, instead of having the Ashok Chakra in the middle of the Tricolour, the flag had a conch - the BJD's election symbol - emblazoned on it.

After a hue and cry over the issue, Malkangiri collector D. Prashant K. Reddy said: "We have received allegations that the national flag was dishonoured. We have ordered a probe."

A delegation of Congress leaders today lodged an FIR against the minister and the local BJD MLA and MP in connection with the incident. "All of them were present at the meeting yesterday. But no one has apologised for the incident. It is a shame," said Congress leader and advocate Ram Prasad Patnaik. They demanded that the guilty should be punished.

The Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act, 1971, says: "Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both."

However, local BJD leaders dismissed the allegation. Malkangiri BJD MLA Manas Madkami said: "It is a conspiracy to defame us. We had no intention to insult the national flag. I don't even have an idea of who had put up this banner."