Odishatv Bureau
Kendrapara: Tension gripped Kendrapara as mob stormed into District Collector’s office in protest against arrest of gangster-turned-trade union leader Syed Usman Ali alias Tito on Thursday.

Following the incident, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the entire town.

Tension prevailed in this coastal town as a large number of people including women rushed into the district collector`s office demanding release of Tito, who was earlier arrested on charge of fixing civil construction tenders worth Rs 5 crore.

Tito was supported by locals as he had recently floated a trade union to press forth the demand for locals` employment in industrial units in nearby Paradip.

"The assembly of people was entirely unlawful. That`s why, prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC has been imposed in the town," said Pradipta Kumar Pattnaik, Kendrapara district collector.

"We are keeping close watch on the situation.

Situation is under control. No untoward incident has taken place so far. The attempt to disrupt vehicular traffic on the NH-5 (A) connecting the Paradip port has been thwarted following police deployment," SP Narasingha Bhol said.

"Though Tito made claims to have quit crime, we kept close track on his activities and arrested him today from his Dilarpur house in the township. A revolver and four live bullets were also seized from his possession," SP Bhol said.

The gangster was remanded to jail later today after the judicial magistrate court in Pattamundai rejected him bail application.

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