The Bamebari police in Keonjhar district arrested and court-forwarded Zila Parishad Member of Zone No. 27 Basu Naik here on Monday.
Naik is an executive member of the Jana Samruddhi Party (JSP), a new political outfit recently floated by Champua Independent MLA Sanatan Mahakud. So far, a total 12 close aids of Mahakud have been arrested.
Sources revealed that some days back, the supporters of Mahakhud had launched a strike in the Tata Steel's Khandbandh mines in demand of employment to the local youths and it is alleged that the strikers had destroyed the company's property and tried to close its mines. On the basis of an FIR by the company, where 69 people, including Mahakud, have been implicated, the police are arresting the Mahakud’s supporters.
Meanwhile, many supporters of the JSP have fled the area in fear of police arrest, though sources revealed that Mahakud has been granted anticipatory bail by the Orissa High Court.
On the other hand, the supporters of Mahakud attributed the mass arrest of JSP workers to the political motive and alleged that the
BJD, particularly a local Minister, has been vindictive towards Mahakud, afraid of his growing popularity.