Phulbani: Police Saturday arrested four ganja peddlers in connection with a murderous attack on Gocchapada officer-in-charge Mrutunjay Pradhan here in Kandhamal district.
Earlier, the main accused and notorious ganja peddler, Muna Digal, was nabbed following an encounter with police at Brahmani forest under Sadar police limits in this connection.
The four accused have been identified as Suresh Kanhar (32), Ranjit Kanhar (30) of Palachi, Biswanath Kanhar alias Balram (35) of Kilupanga and Samdev Kanhar (35) of Dunuki village. During the probe, it was learnt that 10 more are involved in the attack and they are on the run.
“They are all ganja peddlers and hatched a plot to eliminate the OIC as he conducted raids and told them to mend their ways,” Sadar SDPO Surendra Nath Murmu said before media persons at a press meet in his office Saturday.
As per the plan, Muna along with three of his aides followed the cop while he was on way to a meeting and attacked him with swords. They left him with serious injuries and fled after passers-by spotted them.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Muna following an encounter Novenber 5. “More than 13 cases are pending against him at various police stations in Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Daspalla and Ranpur, the SDPO said adding that a non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued against him.
Raids are on to nab the 10 more who are absconding, the SDPO added. Gocchapada IIC was also in the meeting.
PNN
