Kashipur (Rayagada): The police Monday arrested another accused in connection with the attack on former MP and president of Utkal Bharat, Kharabela Swain here Saturday.
The attacker was identified as P Gobind Rao. Earlier, the police had arrested Sumant Nayak in this connection. While two have been arrested, a third accused identified as Krushna Nayak is at large. A manhunt has been launched to nab him, added the police.
Meanwhile, the two were taken in custody for further investigation, it was learnt.
“A thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted by the Crime Branch to ascertain the motive behind the assault on Swain,” said Director General of Police RP Sharma.
Swain was attacked in Kendrapara and Balasore districts recently and the two incidents are likely to be brought under the purview of the CB probe to ascertain whether there was any conspiracy, the DGP said.
The Utkal Bharat president had met Rayagada additional superintendent of police Patitapabana Chaudhury and lodged a complaint November 18.
Swain suspected that some BJD activists might be behind the attack when he was at a street corner meeting in Kashpur.
The alleged attacker, identified as Sumanta Nayak, 35, was detained by the police Saturday. “He is being interrogated and appropriate action would be taken as per law,” said the ASP.
Swain alleged that BJD workers were attacking him as he has been criticical of the ruling party. “I feel BJD has resorted to ‘‘goondaism’’ as it fears defeat in 2019 elections … the attacker himself described himself as a BJD man,” he claimed.
The incident evoked sharp reaction in political circles with the Congress and BJP hitting hard at the BJD and alleging that the attack was the handiwork of the ruling party.
However, Biju Janata Dal MP N Bhaskar Rao condemned the attack on Swain but denied the involvement of BJD in the incident. BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra also said the BJD should not be blamed for the incident.
PNN
