Sambalpur: Sambalpur police here arrested two persons including a former MLA candidate of Congress party on charges of demanding extortion from a private industrial firm and assaulting its HR manager after the manager refused to yield to their demand, Tuesday.
The accused were identified as Balakrushna Rohidas and his brother Rajesh Rohidas. Balakrushna contested as a MLA candidate of Congress party from the Rengali Assembly segment in the district in the last elections. The arrest has sent chatters abuzz and heated up politics in the area.
Police also detained a minor in this connection while two others are absconding. A luxury car (OD-15-F-7346) and Rs 5,000 were seized from their possession.
A case was registered in this connection in Thelkuli police station and further investigations were on. Police after the arrest asked people to cooperate with them to curb such crimes and lodge complaints in 5T.
The matter has brought to the fore the involvement of a racket in demanding extortions from various industrial firms operating in the district and muscle flexing to keep them under their control. The accused will be produced in the court Wednesday, Sadar SDPO Tapan Kumar Mohanty said.
Police said Bharodra industrial firm is working as a sub-contractor of Aditya Birla group which has its plant at Lapanga in the district.
All the five accused including Balakrushna visited the Labour Colony residence of the firm’s HR manager Goutam Reddy and demanded extortion from him, Monday.
They assaulted him when he refused to yield to their demand. They snatched away Rs 20,000 from his possession and fled in their luxury car.
Later, Reddy lodged a complaint with police. Police raided various places and arrested Balakrushna and his brother from their hideout.
When contacted, Aswini Guru, district Congress president said that his party is always for the establishment of rule of law and never supports such activities. He added that the party is trying to ascertain the truth behind their arrest and will take further steps in this regard.
Sources alleged that Balakrushna had been implicated in the case. He is working as a contractor in the firm. The company recently tried to engage outsiders in the firm which was strongly opposed by Balakrushna and some other contractors. The firm, to silence him, wrongly framed him in the case which led to his arrest and his brother.
PNN
