One Held For Attack On Utkal Bharat Chief Kharavela Swain

Rayagada: One person has been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on former MP and Utkal Bharat chief, Kharavela Swain on Saturday, said Rayagada SP, Rahul PR.

Swain was allegedly manhandled by a youth while he was addressing a meeting in Kashipur of Rayagada district.

Alleging the attack to be the handiwork of BJD workers, Swain said, “We were conducting a roadside meeting as part of ‘Odisha ra Bhagya Paribartan Yatra’ and had informed the local police in advance. After sometime, some youths, led by Sumanta questioned the reason for our conducting the meeting.”

“They beat up our members and also attacked me on my face, saying no meeting can be organized here without their permission. The youths claimed they belong to the ruling party,” he added.

This is not the first time that Swain had been attacked. He was manhandled earlier this month while holding a public meeting at Dungura village under Khaira block in Balasore district.

Before this, on October 24, Swain was allegedly attacked and manhandled by BJD activists during a public meeting at Aul in Kendrapara district.