Rayagada: A handwritten banner by suspected Maoists, opposing arrest of 21 persons of Sungar Panchayat of Kashipur Block, was found at Ramanakuplai Chhak under Muniguda police limits in Odisha’s Rayaga district on Thursday.
According to sources, the Maoists have accused police of picking up innocent people and mass movement leaders and torturing them. They have also alleged involvement of SC/ST Welfare Minister Jagannath Sarka, BJD leaders Bhaskar Rao and Sudhir Kumar Das in the police brutality and threatened them with dire consequences if those arrested are not released immediately.
The arrests were made about 10 days ago following opposition to mining activities in the region, sources added.
On being informed, the local police reached the spot and launched a probe.
