Odisha
February 17, 2022

In connection with the attack on four journalists, while covering the first phase of the panchayat polls at Badal gram panchayat in Puri district, eight persons have been arrested today.
The accused have been identified as Satyapriya Maharana (40), Bidyadhar Swain (40), Bulla alias Bijay Swain (30), Subash Majhi (36), Nikunj Swain (57), Uttam Bhujbal (21), Ajay Barisal (38), and Brajbandhu Swain (60).
As per the eyewitnesses, four journalists were on duty at a booth in Badal panchayat in Kanas block yesterday when they were attacked by the accused persons.
Just after the incident, Gadisagada Police had conducted multiple raids during the intervening nights of Wednesday and Thursday and nabbed the accused persons involved in the attack.
They have been booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 341/323/325/294/506/307/395/34. Police have seized one mobile phone, two booms, wire bundles, a live telecast machine, and other accessories from their possession.
A special team has been constituted under Puri Additional SP P Pradhan and Sadar SDPO KC Mund to complete the investigation in a time-bound manner. Further arrests are likely in the case based on evidence collection.
By- Priya Bharti
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