1 min readBhubaneswarJan 10, 2012 03:31 AM IST
First published on: Jan 10, 2012 at 03:31 AM IST
A BJD leader and prominent Christian functionary in Kandhamal district was on Monday arrested for his alleged links with Naxals and role in the January 5 landmine blast near Kotagarh that killed three policemen.
Junus Pradhan,block president of Daringbadi and also the patron of Christian Surakshya Sangh,planned the blast,Kandhamal SP Jaynarayan Pankaj alleged.
The blast was his brainchild. We suspect he may be involved in some other Maoist incidents in Kandhamal recently. He was the overground face of Maoists. We would get more details on his links with Maoists after further interrogation, said Pankaj. Two cases in this regard have been lodged in the Kotagarh police station.
The tribal status of Pradhan is also under scrutiny. Though he claimed to be one,the district administration investigated his tribal status following a complaint that he was a Dalit.
The Revenue Divisional Commissioner is also examining his tribal status.
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