Bajranga Dal leader arrested for Bhadrak violence

A senior Bajrang Dal leader was today arrested in connection with the Odisha's Bhadrak town violence triggered by alleged abusive remarks against Hindu deities posted on social media.
Manas Mohanty, state secretary of Bajarang Dal, was arrested here for his alleged role in the violence that took place in the town on April 6 and April 7, Inspector In-Charge of Bhadrak town police station Manoja Rout said.
The arrest was made after his role in inciting violence came to notice after a thorough scrutiny of a video footage by the police, he said.
Earlier, Bikas Sresthha, the district unit secretary BJP Yova Morcha, was arrested on the same grounds from his residence on Sunday, police said.

With this, police have so far arrested around 275 people for their alleged involvement in the communal violence, while nearly 100 FIRs had been lodged by the violence affected people, they said.
Rout said many accused are still at large and police are also on the look out for leaders and financiers who were instrumental in holding of the rally in the town where prohibitory orders were in force.
Meanwhile, curfew continued to remain in force in the town during the night with relaxation from 5 am to 10 pm, Bhadrak SP Anup Sahoo said, adding that police is keeping a close watch on the situation.