The Khorda police finally woke up from its deep slumber on Thursday and picked up the chief Manababad Sangathan, Manas Das against whom a string of allegations of serious crimes including murder, attempt to murder, threatening, loot and brutally have been pending since long.
A police team accompanied by the Khordha Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) picked up Das from his residence in Bhubaneswar. He is likely to be produced in a court at Khordha following his formal arrest. However, the police refused to confirm whether Das has been detained or arrested.
Earlier in the day, a youth named Subhasish Behera of Jhinkijhari village in Tapang area of Khordha lodged a complaint against Das alleging threat to his and his family members lives. The complainant sought protection from the police.
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In his complaint, Behera said he had joined Manabbad Sangathan in November 2017 and subsequently given the responsibility of ‘stage guard’ (guarding the stage).
The youth said Manas Das and his son Manoranjan threatened him over phone on June 13, 2019 after he refused to campaign for the organisation.
“In 2019, he (Manas Das) had threatened to kill me if I snapped ties with the organisation. I was frightened to the core. Recently, after the media highlighted his brutality, I mustered courage and lodged a complaint,” Behera said.
“I have submitted the audio recording to the police which contains the threat call made to me by Manas Das as proof,” he added.