Minor assaulted by BJD men for refusing to donate blood

A minor boy has been assaulted allegedly by a group of ruling BJD activists for refusing to donate blood to a camp organised by a party MLA, police said on Saturday.

The blood donation camp was organised as part of the BJD's blood donation drive.

According to the FIR lodged in connection with the incident, the boy was forcefully taken from his college in a motorbike towards the Town Hall, the venue of the blood donation camp.

When he said he cannot donate blood as he was under-age and under-weight, they offloaded him and assaulted him for refusing to donate blood, according to the FIR.

The boy, a 12 standard student, alleged that while he was returning home, he was intercepted by the same group who threatened him with dire consequences if he revealed about the assault to anyone.

When contacted, MLA Pravat Biswal, who organised the camp, admitted that some college students were requested to donate blood, but nobody was forced nor was anyone was tortured for refusing.

Police said the investigation is on, and two persons named in the FIR were detained.