BJYM general secretary held for attack on Pandian's residence

Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate Police on Wednesday arrested Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) general secretary, Rakesh Jena in connection with the recent attack on residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's private secretary VK Pandian, taking the number of arrest to six in the case.

A resident of Jharpada area in Bhubaneswar, Jena will be produced before court today. He was wanted by the Commissionerate Police in connection with the case, an official statement said.

Earlier, over 30 persons bearing BJP flags had stormed into the official residence of Pandian on February 10. After overpowering the security staff at the gate, the activists smashed flower pots and damaged a few vehicles parked on the premises. The protestors allegedly also pelted stones and cow dung at the main gate when the officer was not present in the house.

The Odisha IAS, IPS and OAS associations condemning such vandalism had met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday and demanded for stringent action against the culprits. The CM also assured them of appropriate action against the mischief mongers.

Official sources said, so far six persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. One Balaram Khuntia was arrested yesterday while four others-Jugal Jyoti Swain, Rasmiranjan Muduli, Bibhuti Bhushan Prusty and Biswabhushan Badjena- were arrested and booked under section 307 and other sections of IPC on the day of the incident.

The four were sent to Jharpada jail after their bail petitions were rejected by SDJM court in Bhubaneswar.