Cong Leader Mohammad Moquim, 23 Partymen Detained For Vandalism

Cuttack: As many as 24 Congress members, including senior party leader and Cuttack district president Mohammad Moquim, were arrested by police for allegedly ransacking the Purighat police station here.

The party members were picked up from their houses following separate raids carried out by police late on Wednesday.

In his reaction, Moquim said, “This is an attempt by police to suppress the voice of Congress. We will not tolerate it any more. The protest will be intensified in the days to come.”

A group of party workers led by Moquim had on Tuesday barged into the police station and damaged properties, including documents and furniture. They had also misbehaved with a police officer.

The protestors later staged a road blockade in front of the police station by burning tyres.

“The partymen destroyed properties inside the police station protesting detention of a party worker who had entered into Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) office and created ruckus during observance of Bharat bandh yesterday. Strong action will be taken against those who have taken law into their own hands,” Cuttack DCP Akhileswar Singh had informed.