Police on Friday arrested former MlA and suspended BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Sambalpur town on the day.
Mishra, also a former Minister, termed his arrest as an assault on the Sanatana religion. Mishra was arrested in view of his acts of displaying sword during the
Hanuman Jayanti processions in previous years defying police an on such exercise.
Supporters of Mishra staged protest against police action at the BJP office here by lying on the ground to prevent his detention. The police arrived at the party office to detain Mishra in view of the past incidents and to maintain law and order during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in the town.
Earlier in the day, police had also detained eight persons, including four women, in the town apprehending possible disruptions during procession on the occasion of the Hanuman Jayanti.