Attack On Ex-Sarpanch: Police Arrest 5 Accused Including Sarpanch In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: A sarpanch, who was allegedly involved in attack on a former sarpanch due to political rivalry in Odisha’s Ganjam district on the day of Sital Sasthi, was arrested by police on Thursday.

The former sarpanch of Maisakhali panchayat, Manoj Sethi, had sustained critical injuries after he and his two associates were allegedly attacked by a group of people led by sarpanch K Bulu Patra while the former had gone to participate in the Sital Sasthi celebration in the same village on Monday.

Manoj’s elder brother Hemant Kumar Sethi filed an FIR in Berhampur Sadar police station stating that 16 persons tried to kill the former sarpanch. But Hemant mentioned the names of 8 accused including Patra in the FIR.

Police had detained 4 persons in this connection. Following their questioning, police arrested them and Patra, said Mahendra Kumar Sahu, Investigation Officer of the police station.

Hemant had mentioned in the police complaint that the accused persons came on four to five bikes and attacked his brother with sword, iron rod, lathi, stones, wooden planks and other sharp weapons. The assailant, who fled when the villagers reached there, left behind 3 bikes including that of the sarpanch, he added.

Following the incident, Manoj, who sustained critical injuries on head in the attack, was admitted to MKCH Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Later, he was shifted to a hospital in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh as his condition deteriorated. Manoj’s associates, Shankar Jena and Durga Prasad Pradhan are undergoing treatment in MKCG Hospital.

Also Read: Attack On Ex-Sarpanch In Odisha’s Ganjam: Brother Names Sarpanch As Prime Accused In FIR