Odisha Panchayat Polls: Sarpanch, Samiti Member Aspirants Among 3 Held For Distributing Cash, Liquor

The Chandpur police has arrested three persons including a sarpanch and a Samiti member candidate for allegedly distributing liquor and cash at Mayurajhalia panchayat under Ranapur block in Nayagarh district to woo the voters on Wednesday.

The arrested persons have been identified as sarpanch candidate Sushant Kumar Kalasa, samiti member candidate Manmanth Tripathi and ward member candidate's husband Nanda Maharana.

According to source, the locals intercepted the trio when they were distributing cash and liquor among the villagers at Mayurajhalia village and handed them over to police.

The police have also seized 10 litre liquor and two bikes from their possession.

Similarly, residents of Astarang in Puri intercepted a tractor loaded with more than 60 cartoons of foreign liquors worth over Rs 3 lakh and detained two persons on Wednesday night.

On being informed, Astarang police reached the spot this morning and seized the tractor. 

The liquor was illegally being transported to a panchayat in Astarang, sources informed.

(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)