Odisha: Three More Arrested For Attack Bid On OPCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik

Keonjhar: Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested three more persons in connection with the attack on Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Niranjan Patnaik's vehicle and his personal security officer Rakesh Singh.

The trio has been identified as Deepak Kumar Tarei, Sibananda Dehury and Santosh Naik. The total number of arrests in connection with the incident has now gone up to four. Earlier, the prime accused Sanjay Mohanty was picked up by the police.

A SUV allegedly used in the crime has been seized, police said.

On Sunday evening, a group of miscreants had attacked Patnaik's car in Keonjhar district. The assault occurred near Kashipur under Keonjhar Town Police Station limits. Patnaik had escaped unhurt.

After registration of a complaint, the Keonjhar Town Police arrested the prime accused Sanjay Mohanty, who is stated to be a local BJP leader.

Soon after Mohanty's arrest, the Odisha Congress president suspected political links behind the incident and came down heavily on State BJP leaders for allegedly sponsoring the attack.

In a series of tweets, Patnaik alleged that all the miscreants involved in the incident belong to the youth wing of State BJP.

“This is a clear case of political vendetta and desperation of @BJP4Odisha. Congress is raising relevant issues in the state and speaking out against the policies of BJP, which is desperately trying to get a foothold in Odisha. Congress is the biggest hurdle for them,” he had said in one of his tweets.

A group of Congress leaders had also met Keonjhar Superintendent of Police (SP) demanding immediate arrest of all accused and strict action against them.