Now, fullproof police protection for Kharabela Swain across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Days after former Lok Sabha MP and State President of Utkal Bharat party, Kharabela Swain, was attacked during a public gathering in Odisha’s Rayagada district, Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma said police protection will be provided to Swain across the State during his public meetings.

Addressing a press conference here today, Sharma said he has directed all the Superintendents of Police (SPs) to provide foolproof security to Swain in their respective district.

Meanwhile, one more accused, identified as P. Govindrao, has been arrested today by Rayagada police. So far, two persons were arrested for attacking the former Balasore MP while he was addressing public at Kashipur on November 24.

Earlier, Sumant Nayak (35) was arrested on the same day following a video of the incident went viral on social media.

One more accused, Krushna Nayak, is still at large since the incident, police said.

The incident had created a hue and cry but Swain has not lodged any formal complaint. The police, however, has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 4 pm while Swain, along with few of his partymen, was speaking at a street corner meeting at Kasipur.

Minutes after Swain started speaking, a group of locals started objecting to it and Swain was forced to cut short his speech.

According to a video, which was later posted by Swain himself on his Facebook account, shows a youth was hurling abuses at the leader and then thrashing him brutally.

Political parties in the State had condemned the incident.

The Crime Branch is probing the matter.

A thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted by the Crime branch to ascertain the reason and motive behind the assault on the former MP, the DGP had told media.