India: Odisha MLA's vehicle runs over crowd, 22 injured

Bhubaneswar, Mar 12 (PTI) At least 22 people, including seven police personnel, were injured on Saturday when suspended BJD MLA Prasant Jagdev's vehicle allegedly ran over them at Banapur in Khurda district, police said.

The MLA from Chilika was also critically injured as he was roughed up by a mob after the vehicle mowed down a section of the crowd which had gathered outside the BDO Banapur's office while election for the block chairperson was underway, they said.

Two persons, including Banapur Police Station Inspector-in-Charge R R Sahu, were seriously injured in the incident, and they were taken to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, officials said.

Around 15 BJP workers and seven police personnel were injured. A probe has been initiated into the matter, a senior police officer said.

The MLA was first treated at Tangi Hospital and later taken to Bhubaneswar, Khurda SP Alekh Chandra Pahi said.

Jagdev was suspended last year for anti-party activities.

There is no report of any casualty yet, Pahi added.