The Keonjhar police arrested four criminals under the MMDR Act and for other criminal activities after raiding different places on Sunday night. The accused were remanded to judicial custody on Monday.
The arrested were identified as lalchand Barik (40), Budhadev Banarjee (32), Mukesh Mahakud (32) and Bishnu Gope (38), all residents of Joda town and are said to be close associates of Champua Independent MlA Sanatan Mahakud and were allegedly engaged by the MlA for booty distribution and mineral activities.
After the report 'Mafia list is ready; action soon: Keonjhar SP’ was published in The Pioneer on October 18, many mafias known as big fishes in this mining belt are said to have fled away from the district.