The demand for arrest of suspended former Kendrapada SP Satish Gajbhiye gained momentum on Monday with the Congress, the main Opposition force in the State, staging a massive rally demanding action against the IPS officer and resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the State. Gheraoing the Raj Bhavan, the party leaders alleged that many ruling BJD leaders have links with the controversial spiritual leader Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Raul.
The party leaders led by PCC president Prasad Harichandan, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and AICC deputy in-charge of State affairs Subhankar Sarkar also submitted a memorandum to the Governor seeking dismissal of the Chief Minister. Harichandan said the relation of BJD leaders with Sarathi Baba has been exposed.
"The highhandedness of police in Kendrapada, Keonjhar and certain other districts shows that the Government has unleashed police rule in the State and the State has become a police State," said Harichandan.
"So, we demand resignation of the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, for all the mess," added Harichandan. leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra maintained that the CM must ensure criminal proceedings against Gajbhiye for police highhandedness.