Other States - Orissa   

BJD leader held in Kandhamal riots case

BERHAMPUR: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal district, Kishor Chandra Patra was arrested by police on charge of involvement in rioting during the communal violence in the district.

He was arrested by the personnel of the Baliguda police station and forwarded to court on Friday night. He had to be sent to jail as his bail plea was rejected.

This is the first instance where a BJD activist was arrested in Kandhamal district. Mr Patro was wanted by police in relation to two cases of rioting during communal violence in the district in 2008. He also had another criminal case pending against him.

It may be noted that a total of 827 cases had been filed in relation to the communal riots in Kandhamal district. Orissa police have till date filed chargesheets in 437 cases.

Among the arrested persons there are many political activists especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Manoj Pradhan, an accused arrested on charges of rioting, has won from the G. Udaygiri Assembly segment as the BJP candidate. Mr Pradhan is still in jail.

Arrest of Mr Patra hints that the BJD may have snapped ties with the BJP, but the remnants of the close relation between these two parties can still be found. Added to it the BJD cannot shrug off its responsibilities related to communal violence in Kandhamal district. Political observers feel the arrest of the BJD leader may be an effort of the party to clean up its image, which had received a bashing due to Kandhamal riots.

It may be added that police have arrested 13 persons in relation to the murder of Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, which led to a large-scale communal violence in the district.

The arrested persons, include a hard core naxal Uday alias P Rama Rao.

Police were still in search of one D. Kesab Rao who allegedly shot and killed the VHP leader.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Five heritage sites to come under control of ASI
Meet on higher education today
Presentation of Akademi award postponed
Nature’s hues
A decent outing for children
BDA moves to check building violations
State decides to implement elephant management plan
White paper sought on power generation at Hirakud
BJD leader held in Kandhamal riots case
Motorists’ nightmare
State grant to private colleges for staff salaries
Maoists threaten contractors
Fresh probe into kidney theft charge
‘Benudhar Bhoi not entitled for any compensation’
Lightning kills one
Bank looted

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu