Kingpin of Khandhmal riot arrested

Bolangir, Feb 26: Police have arrested a person alleged to be the kingpin of the recent Kandhamal communal clash from a village in Bolangir district.

Police sources said Aibar Naik of Badakhamar village in Kandhamal district was arrested from the house of one his relatives in Tentulikhunti village in Bolangir district on Sunday last. Naik fled the village after the communal clash broke out on December 24 last.

Acting on a tip-off a police team conducted a search operation in the area and arrested Naik.

Police sources said Naik was one of the main accused who allegedly engineered the clash that claimed two lives and left many people injured and several places of worships and houses damaged.

A case relating to his role in the riot was pending in the Baliguda Police station of Kandhamal district.

Interrogation of Naik was on. However, Naik denied having any role in the riot.

UNI