Sarpanch held for bomb blast

Pradip Bisoi, sarpanch of Anantei and member of the working committee in district Congress unit, was arrested as he was allegedly the mastermind of the incident. "Although Bisoi was not directly involved in the explosion, he happened to be the mastermind," said inspector in charge of town police station S S Mohapatra.

Kalia Padhi of Banthapalli village, located on the outskirts of the town, was injured when two motorcycle-borne men hurled bombs at Somanath Nagar on November 24.

Padhi was standing in front of a `pan` shop when the incident took place. Some days beforehand, Padhi had allegedly attacked Bisoi.

The district Congress committee, however, condemned the arrest of the sarpanch saying he was arrested under the pressure of the ruling BJD and demanded unconditional release of Bisoi.