BJD leader held for blast in Odisha

A leader of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha was arrested today for his involvement in a blast triggered by the Maoists early this month in Kandhamal district which killed three policemen, police said.

A leader of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha was arrested Monday for his involvement in a blast triggered by the Maoists early this month in Kandhamal district which killed three policemen, police said.

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Junus Pradhan, president of the BJD in Daringbadi block, was arrested from his house in Daringbadi for conniving with the left-wing extremists.

“We have very strong evidence against him," district superintendent of Police Jaynarayan Pankaj told IANS.

Pradhan was involved in the land mine blast triggered by the rebels near Srirampur village Jan 5. Three policemen were killed and three others injured, he said.

“We also suspect his involvement in other crimes committed by the Maoists in the district," Pankaj said.