Two aides of Sabyasachi Panda arrested

Berhampur: Two associates of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda were arrested near Badagada bus stand, police said on Monday.

They have been identified as Bubu Mohapatra of Nayagarh and Agni Palia of Boudh who had been working with Panda for long, Ganjam SP Asis Singh told newsmen at a press meet here.

Police seized two bags packed with medicines which were being transported to the Odisha Maovadi Party leader. The duo admitted that they were taking the drugs from Mili Panda, wife of Sabysachi, police said.

Based on their statements, police registered a case against Mili. On the other hand, wife of the top red leader denied any links with Maoists.

“If my husband has done anything wrong, why should I be harassed for that. These are all false and fabricated case against me. Now I am actively participating in politics and will contest 2014 poll independently from Ranapur. This may be a big conspiracy of those who do not want me to stand in the election,” Mili Panda said.

On April 3, Ganjam police had also nabbed two of Sabyasachi’s aides while some others managed to give a slip to the force.