Jajpur/Kalinganagar: Tension prevailed at Kumbhanagra village under Danagadi block after residents gheraoed the ashram of a godman and demanded a probe into his ‘unlawful and immoral activities’ Sunday.
The villagers led by sarpanch Madanmohan Sahu of Uchabali panchayat, ward member Sisir Samantary and youth leaders Sudam Barik and Santsoh Barik gheraoed the ashram and submitted a memorandum to the Collector addressed to the Chief Minister.
The copies of the memorandum were forwarded to the home secretary, Director General of Police, SP and Tomka IIC. The villagers claimed the ashram disturbed peace in the village and warned of intensifying their agitation in coming days if their demands are not met.
The villagers alleged that the godman Udayanath Das of Jagatsinghpur district has built a large ashram by encroaching upon pastureland, water bodies and cremation ground in Kumbhanagra and Dipamala villages.
Das is even accused of diverting government funds meant for development of the village for use in the construction of a community centre and a temple inside his ashram.
Villagers claimed Das recently kidnapped a woman in Kumbhanagra village and has held her in his custody.
They claimed that he is an imposter in the guise of a godman and is engaged in various anti-social and immoral activities by collecting lakhs of rupees from his devotees and giving shelter to women in his ashram. They even alleged the police are working at his behest and refusing to entertain any complaint against the godman.
PNN
