Rayagada: Two more persons, including a government teacher, were arrested in connection with the smuggling of gemstones in Odisha’s Rayagada on Thursday.
The arrested are Radha Mohan Mahana (53) of Sudha Street in Boudh district and Subash Ratnallu (45) of Muniguda in Rayagada district. Mahana is a Block Grant Teacher and had links with the prime accused Jitendra Behera who was earlier arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch. Behera was nabbed from Bijabandali village in Ambadala.
On December 7, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch had seized gemstones worth Rs 1.5 crore from a house in Jagannath Complex in Rayagada town.
According to police sources, the STF received a tip-off that huge quantities of semi-precious gemstones belonging to a jewellery shop were hidden in a godown. Following this, the STF raided the place and seized 150 kg of semi-precious stones stashed in gunny bags.
Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP has alleged the involvement of local BJD leaders in illegal gemstone trade.
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