Ramesh Jena, Associates arrested; Congress to gherao IG office on Mar 11

Bhubaneswar, Mar 7: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee will gherao the office of Inspector General (IG) of Police on March 11 here protesting against the arrest of former Congress MLA from Sanakhemundi  Ramesh Jena.

Taraprasad Bahinipati, Congress chief whip, sought permission from IG Amitabh Takhur to meet arrested Congress leader Ramesh Jena. He also enquired about the health of the former MLA.

Speaking to media, Bahinipati told that the party would protest against the arrest of the former MLA. He said PCC President Prasad Harichandan would lead the party activists for the scheduled protest on March 11.

Bahinipati alleged police of harassing relatives of Ramesh Jena, which he termed as violation of Supreme Court’s guidelines.

Notably, Ramesh Jena and two of his associates were arrested by Berhampur police in coordination with Commissionerate police on Sunday from a rented accommodation in Khandagiri area. The police seized three mobile phones and some weapons from their possession.

They were arrested for their alleged involvement in a number of criminal activities including attack on a political leader and corporator, Ranjit Nayak on Feb 29.

The police team brought all the three arrested persons to  Berhampur for further investigation into the matter.